Julie and Wendy take on the Anna Chaplain title in Portsmouth
Updated: Nov 2, 2022
A long-standing member of the network, Julie Slade in Sheet near Petersfield, Hampshire, has just become an Anna Chaplain alongside Revd Wendy Mallas. Last night they were both commissioned in St Mary's Church, Buriton, by Revd Dr Susan Collingridge, acting area dean, at a service of Compline which saw representatives from most churches in the deanery taking part.
Julie has been known as the seniors' chaplain until now and has been coordinating pastoral work locally, including a successful regular afternoon gathering of older people at a local pub in Sheet.
Our Anna Chaplaincy coordinator Marian Muskett who worships with her was also present, among other friends and members of Julie's church congregations wanting to support both Julie and Wendy.
'It all went very well last night,' said Marian. 'The excellent turnout was such that we had to relocate from a side room where the chairs had been set out to the church itself! A good number came from my own church (Sheet) to support Julie, which was lovely.'
Another Anna Chaplain Coleen Jackson, from Chalton, north of Portsmouth, took part in the commissioning as well, alongside Revd Sam Martell, both of whom are on the Portsmouth Diocese steering group for Anna Chaplaincy. The deanery includes Blackmoor and Whitehill, Bramshott and Liphook, Buriton, East Meon, Empshott, Froxfield with Privett, Greatham, Hawkley, Langrish, Liss, Petersfield, Sheet and Steep. 'All in all, I felt it was a very positive evening,' said Marian.
Watch out for other blog articles from Julie and Wendy, telling more of their story.