The service, taking place at Sheffield Cathedral on Saturday 8th June, took a look back at celebrating the stories of women in ministry over the last 30 years, as well as looking to the future.
Hymns and prayers of thanksgiving, penitence and intercession took place alongside musical contributions from the choir. Interspersed throughout the service were videos of different clergy sharing their testimonies:
‘Back in the Day’ – Revd. Judith Trickett (ordained 1994)
“For women wanting to go forward for ordination – do it! We need women who can dedicate themselves to service and to offer worship to God”
‘This is the Day’ – Revd. Canon Eleanor Robertshaw (ordained 2011)
“Seeing the role models of those first women coming into our church…helped me to think I could do it. It’s the most amazing thing you could possibly do”
‘Come the Day’ – Revd. Amy Hole (ordained 2022) & Revd Lucy Sablan (ordained 2019)
“The Eucharist is all about welcome and gathering together, so if as women we can make that even more broad – then that’s a good thing”
Speaking after the event, Revd Canon Amanda Barraclough, Dean of Women’s Ministry, said:
“What a joy to be together to share the 30th Anniversary Celebration – with some who had been ordained 30 years ago, some who had travelled a considerable distance to be there, women and men together. The service held together the joys and the challenges, the costs and privileges of women’s experience of ordained ministry, and it was a huge privilege to work with an amazing team to help bring it all together. The Cathedral hosted the Diocese with typical generosity of spirit, a can-do approach, and wonderful refreshments! Thank you to everyone who helped to make it happen!”
You can see some of the highlights here:
