I'll develop a ministry thatis very open and inclusive

Rev Amy Webb, curate, Botley, Curdridge and Durley, says 'together with my call to be a servant, I am now a shepherd who guides and walks alongside, sharing the story of God's love for all'
HERE FOR YOU ALL Amy Webb with her Vicar Gregg MensinghHERE FOR YOU ALL Amy Webb with her Vicar Gregg Mensingh
HERE FOR YOU ALL Amy Webb with her Vicar Gregg Mensingh

There are many examples including starting your first job, getting married, the death of a loved one or the birth of a child.

For me, being ordained priest, at Portsmouth Cathedral at the beginning of last month, was one such moment.

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On the one hand my priesting was the final destination of a journey which I started many years ago when I first began to explore a sense of being called into Christian leadership; a journey through three years of discerning God’s call, a selection panel, three years of theological training and a year as a deacon.

But, on the other hand, my priesting was the beginning of the journey of the rest of my life as a priest; a role I have been trained for but that I will spend the rest of my life growing into.

One practical difference between my role as a priest and my role as a deacon is that I can now preside at Holy Communion, which means that I can now say the prayers over the bread and the wine to consecrate them.

However, being a priest doesn’t stop me from being a deacon. All priests, even bishops, remain at their very core, a deacon, whose role is to serve the community in which they are set.

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Being ordained priest just adds another dimension to my role as a deacon.

Together with my call to be a servant, I am now called to be a shepherd who guides and walks alongside, sharing the story of God’s love for all people.

Although now a priest I remain a Curate in my training parishes of Botley, Curdridge and Durley for a few more years, under the guidance of my Vicar Rev Gregg Mensingh.

As I grow in the role I hope to develop a ministry which is open and inclusive, which encourages and enables people to flourish, and which leads others into discovering God’s call on their lives.

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n All Saints Church Botley, St Peter’s Church, Curdridge and Holy Cross Church, Durley.

n Contact the parish office on 01489 782445

n bcd-churches.org.uk or find us on Facebook, search Botley, Curdridge and Durley.

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