Set apart

14 September 2024 | Sarah Crutch

“I believe I am called to this ministry,” was the response of Christine McWilliams, Josephine Snowdon and Samuel Kelly when asked about their call to minister as deacons, declaring in front of a full Cathedral that they commit themselves to this new ministry, with God’s help.

It is the first ordination service in some time to feature five candidates, with both deacons and priests being ordained to serve in various parts of the diocese.

Alongside the three deacons, Lauren Porter and Richard Bath were surrounded by their ministry colleagues for the laying on of hands as they were set apart for the ministry of a priest.

Kids talks are becoming a highlight of diocesan ordinations. Archdeacon George used an Olympic theme, seeing three youngsters standing on the podium as an analogy for the ministry of deacon, priest and bishop. Archdeacon George emphasised that while it may seem that in ordaining people they are being promoted higher than others, he reminded everyone that in fact they are bringing themselves down to serve God.

Former Archdeacon Anne McKenna, a close friend of Christine McWilliams, made a return to the diocese to preach, sharing a story of a blackbird that visits her garden. Anne likened the white mark on the back of his head to the clerical collar.

“If only the clergy collar was something we wore on the back of our head as something for people to follow rather than something to be confronted by,” Anne commented.

The five ordinands all began their new ministries the very next Sunday in Elmore, Rochester, Daylesford, Eaglehawk and Heathcote.