In Pershore Abbey on the 21st of June 2024 a very happy, joyful and uplifting service took place to celebrate thirty years since the first women priests had been ordained. People from across the diocese and beyond, including many female clergy, gathered to celebrate their calling to serve God.
Our own Mary Noble was at this service and remembered her own ordination on the 2nd July 2006. Mary said it was humbling to think of the women who had fought long and hard to receive recognition of their calling to serve God as priests, and also the women who trained alongside men but had been unable to continue to work with them as Priests.
The service was led by Becky Elliot, Dean of Women’s Ministry and Clare Lording, Vicar of Pershore along with Archdeacon Nikki leading the prayers. Bishop John preached and spoke of how his ministry had changed for the better, a more rounded ministry now that men and women could work together equally. He had seen the church and society enriched by the ministry of women.
Andi Jones was one of the original twenty two women ordained in 1994 who spoke movingly about her work during a conversation with Jayne Parker who is the curate in Pershore, and was to be ordained the following week. Andi said she recognised the many people who campaigned tirelessly for many years to enable women to be ordained priests, and that it had been a privilege and a joy to serve the Lord in such a special way.
Mary said she echoed Andi’s thoughts exactly and that the whole evening had been encouraging and inspiring to meet so many women who have since achieved their calling, and are now serving with joy and enthusiasm in the many roles across the diocese.
Mary’s call to God’s work began after forty years in the NHS. Her involvement, after she retired, began in 1996 at St Matthias when she moved to Malvern. Her expectation of a relaxed retirement resulted in being fully involved in parish life and she became a Reader in 2002! God however continued to call Mary to find a way to be able to support people, not just physically but spiritually, particularly during difficult times in their lives. She herself says she was surprised to find herself being ordained in 2006.
As the sun set over the beautiful Pershore Abbey, Mary saw it as a beacon of light, reminding us that God is always present in our lives.
