MALVERN gained a new member of the clergy last weekend with the ordination of Philippa Lowe at Worcester Cathedral who will serve at Great Malvern Priory
She joined ten other candidates who were ordained to serve in parishes across the diocese by the Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend Martin Gorick who is also currently the Acting Bishop of Worcester.
Seven candidates have completed their first year of in-parish training and were ordained priests in the cathedral on Saturday (June 28) and are now able to preside at the holy communion.
Philippa and a further three candidates were ordained deacon on Sunday (June 29) and are entering their first year of training as a curate.
Reflecting on her ordination Philippa said: “It’s the difference between hearing and listening. From childhood I’ve heard God’s call in my life, but there have been times when I just wouldn’t listen or do something to try and block out what I was hearing. Eventually, I knew it was time to respond and admit that I felt God’s call to ordained ministry.
“Following a long, sometimes winding journey, hearing God’s voice in silence, in everyday encounters, in glorious music, and in the lives of the other ordinands I was fortunate to train with at Queen’s in Birmingham, and humbled to be starting a new chapter in my life at Great Malvern Priory.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that continuing to listen, not just hear will bring, and the joy of sharing the Good News of God’s love in Malvern and beyond as a deacon in Christ’s church today.”
The Revd Canon Dr Richard Cooke, former principal of the Coventry Diocesan Training Partnership and now rector of the Ilmington Downs and Stour Valley Parishes in the Diocese of Coventry, preached at both services having led a pre-ordination retreat for all candidates.
Bishop Martin added: “It is always a great privilege to be able to ordain people who have discovered the love of God in their lives and have decided to devote themselves to bringing that love to others. All these candidates will be a blessing to the churches in which they serve as well as the wider community.”
