Members of St George’s, Blackburn and Holy Trinity, Oswaldtwistle joined together with family and friends of Anthony Walsh in the latter Church on 10th May for Anthony’s ordination as a Presbyter in the Church of God.
At the beginning of the service Bishop John dedicated a chalice and paten which were a gift from Anthony’s sister and which were used at the formal presentation after the laying on of hands.
Mrs Marlene Parker, Churchwarden at St George’s, presented Anthony to Bishop John. The Revd Tony Ford read the Epistle and Anthony himself read the Gospel. Bishop John preached, showing how the office of Presbyter is of Apostolic institution and how Presbyters are to minister at the call of the Risen Jesus, to whom they are answerable.
Following the questions and answers prescribed by the rite, the congregation gave its consent to Anthony’s ordination. There were then four periods of prayer – silent prayer, the singing of the Veni Creator Spiritus, the Litany and the ordination prayer proper accompanied by the laying on of hands.
Among those laying on hands was the Revd Dr Gordon Wareing, the longest serving presbyter in the Northern Diocese, thus happily giving visible expression to the continuity of God’s provision of ministers across the years.
Bishop John then anointed Anthony’s hands and presented him with a Bible, chalice and paten as tokens of the ministry of Word and Sacrament which he had received. The service then continued with a celebration of Holy Communion.
Following the service there was a generous buffet meal in the schoolroom at the back of Church.
Anthony received his licence as Presbyter-in-Charge of St George’s, Blackburn and plunged in at the deep end the following day hosting the Mayor at St George’s VE Day service.
