EVESHAM gained two new priests last weekend with the ordination of Michael Edwards and Prajna Pal-Lad at Worcester Cathedral.
Michael Edwards, serving at St Peter’s Church in Bengeworth and Prajna Pal-Lad, serving at All Saints.
They joined nine other candidates who were ordained by the Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend Martin Gorick who is also currently the Acting Bishop of Worcester to serve in parishes across the diocese.
Seven candidates have completed their first year of in-parish training and were ordained priests in the cathedral on Saturday (June 28) and are now able to preside at the holy communion.
Reflecting on her ordination Prajna said: “To be able to preside at the Lord’s table, to say the words: ‘Come to this table. Come as you are: strong in faith and struggling to believe, travelling light and heavily burdened, whole and broken.
“Come to this table and share. God’s holy gifts, for God’s holy people,’ will be the most meaningful thing I will ever do. I cannot wait.”
A further four candidates were ordained deacon on Sunday (June 29) and are entering their first year of training as a curate.
“I cannot wait to be able to pronounce God’s blessing upon the people of Bengeworth, to be able to anoint with oil the sick and the dying, to remind God’s people of His forgiveness of our sins, and of course, to have the privilege to serve our community at the Lord’s table, where we all get to participate in the holy mystery of communion,” added Michael.
The Revd Canon Dr Richard Cooke, former principal of the Coventry Diocesan Training Partnership and now rector of the Ilmington Downs and Stour Valley Parishes in the Diocese of Coventry, preached at both services having led a pre-ordination retreat for all candidates.
Bishop Martin said: “It is always a great privilege to be able to ordain people who have discovered the love of God in their lives and have decided to devote themselves to bringing that love to others.
“All these candidates will be a blessing to the churches in which they serve as well as the wider community.”
