Multiple services for new Anna Chaplains in Hampshire and Isle of Wight!

It's been a busy week or so of commissioning services for Anna Chaplains in the diocese of Portsmouth. Having successfully completed their Anna Chaplaincy training, Portsmouth Diocese held a week of commissioning services for a group of candidates:

Bishop Jonathan with area dean, Revd Paul Chamberlain, facing the candidates (left to right) – Margaret Chapell, Evie James, Liz Sykes Little (obscured but shown in photo below) and Revd Samantha Martell.

On Sunday 20 November in Gosport and Fareham Deanery, the service was led by the area dean, Revd Paul Chamberlain.

The bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost was present as the commissioning was part of a baptism and confirmation service.

Another service took place, similarly, in the Isle of Wight Deanery for new Anna Chaplain Liz Fletcher.

Then on Wednesday 23 November, also in the Isle of Wight Deanery, the area sean Revd Steve Daughtery led the commissioning service for Hilary Baldwin, Revd Liane Chalmers and Jane Wilshaw (pictured above).

Debbie Ducille (Anna Chaplaincy church lead from BRF), Revd Sam Martell, Dennis Chandler, Coleen Jackson, Mary Close, Carolyn Shannon and Elaine Andrews.

The following Sunday on 27 November, it was the turn of Havant Deanery – with the help of area dean Revd Andrew Sheard leading the commissioning service for Mary Close, Carolyn Shannon, Dennis Chandler and Elaine Andrews.

The diocese will be holding three more commissioning services in the remaining deaneries over the next month. By Christmas, Portsmouth will have 23 Anna Chaplains!

They have already begun a discernment process for those who wish to attend the next training round in January for another 16 potential chaplains.

Coleen Jackson and Sam Martell currently lead this ministry. Anna Chaplain Coleen, said, 'The diocese is very proud of how this ministry is taking shape and serving the spiritual needs of those in the community who are older in age.'

Also being planned is the first annual celebration of Anna Chaplaincy which will be held at Candlemas (when the church remembers the contribution of Simeon and Anna, recorded in St Luke's gospel, chapter two) on 2 February at Portsmouth Cathedral at 5.45 pm. Make a note in your diaries to join us if you can!

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