We are delighted to share the news that our Associate Priest, Rev Jane Thompson, has been invited to become an Honorary Canon of Winchester Cathedral. She will be installed as an Honorary Canon on Sunday 10th May, during the 3.30pm service of Choral Evensong in the Cathedral. Everyone will be very welcome at that service.Jane has been offered this honour by Bishop Philip as a mark of appreciation of her dedicated service to God’s church and kingdom.In addition to the many roles in which we see her in the Benefice, she is currently one of the Assistant Directors of Ordinands and has, over many years, been involved in a range of aspects of the life of Winchester Diocese. Jane will become a member, together with ordained Residentiary Canons and Lay Canons, of the College of Canons. This will provide her with the opportunity to participate in the life and worship of the Cathedral.We congratulate Jane on this well deserved recognition of her hard work and dedication and look forward to celebrating with her in May.
Hello. I'm Anthony Cross and I am an ordinand (priest in training), studying full time at Sarum College in Salisbury. I have recently completed my final assignments and was ordained as a deacon on Sunday 29th June.There are three levels of ordination within the Church of England: deacon, priest and bishop. All clergy are ordained as deacon; most are ordained as priest; some are chosen to be ordained as bishop.The term deacon comes from the Greek word diakonos which means servant. The first deacons are chosen in Acts 6 to lead the charitable work of the early church, a role that was quickly expanded to leading worship and teaching. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, Phoebe is identified as a deacon, and it is believed that she transported, read and interpreted this letter to its audience.To be a deacon in the Church of England is to be a servant of God in a ministerial role. In being ordained deacon, I will be promising to serve the Church of England and the communities in which I minister. I will be licensed to take non-Eucharistic services, to preach, to baptise, and to conduct funerals. A deacon cannot celebrate Holy Communion or perform the act of marriage. When delivering the absolution and the blessing, deacons use the word “us” instead of “you”. These are rites that are reserved for those who are ordained priest.In addition to taking services, I will serve by being a pastoral presence across the benefice. Expect to see me at events! Under Tom’s guidance I will work on developing my skills and competencies in preparation for my ordination as priest, which all being well will take place at the end of June next year. I will continue my studies by engaging in post-ordination training alongside my fellow curates across the diocese.Anthony
