Wilma's Very Special Day

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Wilma has completed a very challenging four years of study and then 9 months of practical ministry. She joined 15 other priests in being formally ordained by Bishop John in the magnificent setting of Lincoln Cathedral. Wilma has done an amazing job during the last 12 months ministering as a Deacon in the Alford Group of Parishes. She has now been confirmed as a non-stipendiary priest in our Group, serving us on a part-time basis, but anyone who knows the whirlwind that is Wilma will find the part-time bit hard to believe!

She has been fully supported in her Ministry by the PCCs and this enormous support throughout the Group was displayed in the numbers of people that attended at the Cathedral and the 100+ people who gathered after the priesting to have a festive meal and celebrate communion with Wilma at a wonderful service that rounded off a memorable day.

We now await the arrival of Father Charles in September. Wilma was very much in his prayers on Sunday and she was moved to receive his lovely card expressing his thoughts and blessings. Wilma and Charles will make a formidable duo and we are in for exciting and challenging times as they lead us in developing our own faith and spreading the good word in the wider community.

Wilma's memories.

These are the first two lines of the Gradual hymn that I chose for my first Eucharist on the 1st July 2007. The culmination of the last 4 years study, prayer and self examination and God’s grace have led me to be able to say with confidence ‘Here I am Lord’.

Before ordination as priest we were invited to an almost silent retreat at the Bishop Grosseteste College in Lincoln. On Thursday there were lectures from the author David Catchole and the evening finished in splendid style with the Eucharist in the Cathedral and all the priests from the diocese renewing their vows.

Friday was a much gentler day with worship in the college itself and lectures by the precentor of St. Paul’s Cathedral London, Lucy Winkett. She was amazing, loads of stories about the Cathedral both funny and pertinent to our forthcoming priesting.

Saturday followed the same format although we were invited to the Cathedral for Evensong with the taking of the Canonical Oaths and a practice for the Sunday. Again a very special time.

Bishop John was invited back to dinner at the college and he came armed with a case of wine, naturally silence was broken! A good time was had by all and we finished with Compline.

Sunday morning we were up early for prayer and then the deacons went off to their various churches for ordination, which left us who were being priested hanging around worrying for a couple of hours.

When the moment arrived we all got into allotted positions outside and ceremoniously paraded towards the altar. A momentous occasion. The service itself was long but as always Bishop John was terrific and Lucy Winkett gave a superb sermon. During the service doves were flying high up around the alter area and as Bishop John was talking about the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist service one or two dove feathers came floating down. My niece picked one up and put it in a card for me. I hadn’t expected to feel so emotional but there were many times that I did, the laying on of the hands, sharing the peace, I didn’t quite get there, too many tears, when I saw all my family and church family there in support.

We came into the Cathedral in an orderly fashion but Bishop John wanted us to exit quickly like a ‘rabble of priests’. Another special moment came outside greeting you all and greeting ex students and friends from our studying years.

As if that wasn’t enough exhilaration for one day, my husband and I walked into the church hall to a banging of the tables and a chorus of Wilma, Wilma, Wilma.

Barbara and her helpers had put up a magnificent spread of food.

The thank you speech I gave was from my very soul and I would just like to say again, I can’t thank each one of you by name, but in my heart I do. I thank you for making this day possible and thank you for making it pleasurable. The quarter peel of bells sounded impressive as I walked up to church to preside at my first Eucharist at 4.15pm. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see so many people in church, such a unifying support.

The Reverend Linda Bond who has been my training incumbent presented a splendid sermon.

Of course the Eucharist was the pinnacle of a glorious day, what a privilege and honour and without your encouragement, love and prayers this day would not have happened. I thank you from my heart for your beautiful cards, presents and wonderful words of support. I give you my unending thanks for the most precious day of my life.

I know I’m getting on a bit, but I hope I have many years of serving in this wonderful community.

These words from Hebrews 10 v 7 have always been influential, ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll, I have come to do your will O, God’.

May God give us light to guide us, courage to support us and love to unite us, now and evermore.

Thank you,

Wilma.