CELEBRATION OF A NEW MINISTRY

This service, or material taken from it, may be used to welcome any licensed ministers at the beginning of their ministry in a new parish, when the ordination and/or licensing has taken place elsewhere.

Though some of the material may be appropriate, it is not intended that this service be used when a new form of ministry is undertaken by an existing minister.

Normally the parish priest will preside over the whole service, which might be either a complete Service of the Word, or an ante Communion.

Introduction

Opening Sentences

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

I Tim 1: 2

Praise our God, all you his servants

those who fear him, both small and great

Revelation 19: 5

Great is his loving kindness towards us

His faithfulness endures for ever

Psalm 117: 2

President

People of ......., N our Bishop has licensed N to be .........,

and it is fitting that as we come together to worship, we should publicly recognise his appointment, welcome him (and N, N, N etc) to our family, and ask God's blessing on his ministry among us.

As we pray for him, we pray also for ourselves, that we may dedicate ourselves afresh to the ministry God has given us in this place.

The Collect

God our Father, Lord of all the world,
we thank you that through your Son
you have called us into the fellowship
of your universal church.
Hear our prayer for your faithful people
that in their vocation and ministry
each may be an instrument of your love.
Give us the needful gifts of grace;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The Ministry of the Word

Either two or three readings from scripture follow. If the service is a eucharist, it is appropriate that the gospel should be proclaimed by the new minister, should they be a deacon.

The Sermon.

Affirmation of Faith

If the new minister is ordained, it is appropriate that they repeat the Declaration of Faith made at their licensing.

Otherwise all join in one of the authorised affirmations of faith in A Service of the Word, or the Apostles' or Nicene Creed.

Dedication of new minister and people.

The new minister stands or kneels before the congregation for prayer.

President

Almighty God, strengthen and sustain N,
that he may serve you in this office
with patience and understanding,
and may fulfil his ministry with joy,
to your glory, and for the good of all your people,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen

O Lord save your servants

who put their trust in you

Happy is the one whose strength is in you

in whose heart are your ways

President

N, will you be a faithful minister here [and in your workplace]? Will you lead in worship and service; will you encourage God's people to share in the work of the gospel of Christ, that with you they may proclaim his saving love to the world?

By the grace of God, I will.

People of this parish, will you be faithful members of the Body of Christ; will you support N in his new ministry and work with him for the coming of the Kingdom of God?

By the grace of God, we will.

The Welcome

President and other clergy

N, I welcome you to share with me in our ministry of Christ in this place.

There may follow welcomes from a churchwarden, and other representatives of the congregation and parish.

Presentation of signs of Ministry

Representatives of the congregation bring appropriate signs of ministry to the new minister

The minister is handed a bible:

Receive this Bible

and be among us to proclaim and teach the Word of God. Amen.

The minister is handed a prayer book:

Receive this prayer book

and be among us as a man of prayer and leader of worship

The minister is handed a vessel of water:

Receive this water

and be among us to make disciples, baptising them in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Other signs appropriate to the new ministry may be presented, e.g. a stole, a readers scarf, a stock of oil, bread and wine, though there should not be too many!

Prayer

The minister may kneel and be blessed by the president, and/or prayed for by representatives of the congregation.

The minister may pray in these words.

O Lord my God,
you have called me to this ministry,
and I devote myself to your service in this place.
Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works,
and enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit.
Grant that by my life and teaching
I may proclaim your true and living word,
and faithfully fulfil this calling.
Help me so to work together with your people,
that by your grace all the world may come to know you.
For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Peace

The minister stands and says:

God has reconciled us to himself through Christ,
and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

and also with you.

He greets members of the clergy, family members, and the congregation.

The service may continue with the eucharist, or with further intercessions*, hymns, and a blessing and ending.

[*Possible Intercessions can be found in Patterns for Worship, and a form may be found below]

We pray for the use of God's gifts to his church saying:

Jesus, Lord of your Church

in your mercy hear us

God our Father,
you give us gifts that we may work together
in the service of your Son:
Bless those who lead,
that they may be firm in the faith,
yet humble before you:
Jesus, Lord of your Church

in your mercy hear us

Bless those who teach,
that they may increase our understanding,

(or: that they may help us to learn)

and be open to your word for them:

Jesus, Lord of your Church

in your mercy hear us

Bless those who minister healing,
that they may bring wholeness to others,

(or: that they may extend your touch of grace)

yet know your healing in themselves:

Jesus, Lord of your Church

in your mercy hear us

Bless those through whom you speak,
that they may proclaim your work in power,
yet have their ears open to your gentle whisper:

Jesus, Lord of your Church

in your mercy hear us

Bless those who work in your world today
that they may live for you, fulfil your purposes,
and seek your kingdom first
in the complexity of their daily lives:

Jesus, Lord of your Church

in your mercy hear us

Bless those who feel they have no gifts and are not valued,
and those who are powerless by the world's standards,
that they may share their experience of the work of your Spirit.

Lord of the Church

hear our prayer,

and make us one in heart and mind

to serve you in Christ our Lord. Amen

From Enriching the Christian Year, compiled by Michael Perham, SPCK, 1993