Remembrance Sunday Commissionings - Portsmouth Diocese

Yvonne, Pat and Caroline being welcomed by Emma Sneddon

A church festooned with poppies was the colourful setting for the latest Anna Chaplaincy commissionings in the Diocese of Portsmouth.

The service at St John’s, Locks Heath, took place in the evening of Remembrance Sunday and was very well attended by the friends and families of Pat Barrett, Yvonne Parr and Caroline Free, who recently completed their training. Other Anna Chaplains from the area were also there to cheer them on as they begin their ministries among older people in their respective communities.

St John’s Vicar, the Revd Luiz Lima, led the service, assisted by the Area Dean, the Revd Richard England. Emma Sneddon, Anna Chaplaincy Coordinator for the Diocese, welcomed the new Anna Chaplains with flowers as well as their new lanyards. Marian Muskett, National Coordinator at BRF Ministries for Anna Chaplaincy, was also attending, bringing greetings from the national team, and encouraging them with the news that they are joining a national network of, now, more than 460 Anna Chaplains!

In his sermon, Luiz stressed that God still has work to do in us whatever our age, citing the examples of Anna and Simeon. He urged the congregation to be open to God’s call to 'something new' in our lives.

Conversations long continued over tea, cake and other refreshments after the service.

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