Commissionings and affirming of recommitment in Kent

debbiethrower0
4 hours ago
2 min read

Julia Burton-Jones, Margaret Miller, Debbie Ducille, Jenny Turner, Marie Rayner, Bishop Jonathan Gibbs, Margaret Hollands, the Revd Sophie Sutherland, the Revd Anne Bourne and Diana Pattison.

At the beginning of the month Debbie Ducille joined Julia Burton-Jones, in her capacity as local coordinator in Rochester diocese, for a wonderful service of commissioning and affirmation at Bishopscourt in Rochester.

More than thirty people gathered in the garden setting, including friends and family of those being commissioned. The gathering was hosted, and the service led, by the Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Rochester, with input and reflections from Julia and Debbie, and readings offered by members of diocesan staff and Anna Chaplains present.

Bishop Jonathan congratulates those commissioned and presents them with their certificates

‘It was a wonderfully affirming service and celebration of this extraordinary local network’, Debbie said.

‘All of us who work alongside Julia know what a gifted and gracious person she is, but it was particularly encouraging to witness her coordination work in Rochester at first hand, and was long overdue as a visit!’

‘It was such a pleasure to meet Margaret, Jenny and Marie as they stepped into Anna Chaplaincy ministry and were commissioned. Each have great gifts to share with their communities, and inspiring stories and experience that they bring,’ Debbie continued.

‘The Archdeaconry Leads are amazing, highly experienced Anna Chaplains and leaders, and it was a privilege to pray for Diana, Sophie, Anne and Margaret as they reaffirmed their commitment to this ministry of Anna Chaplaincy oversight in their areas: as a local and national network, we are indebted to them.'

'The support structures and brilliant leadership that Julia has facilitated here is a wonderful example of what can happen in a diocesan setting. We are so grateful to Rochester for their pioneer vision and spirit (as the first diocese to develop Anna Chaplaincy), and look forward to seeing others embed similar support structures in time.’