New beginnings

Sunday worship marked at least three new beginnings, if not more.

On the day that the church remembers the baptism of Jesus, it was a delight to welcome two new members into the church family through their baptisms. With their supporters travelling from as far as Manchester, it was a real family celebration as the baby cousins were baptised together, by Priory curate, Adam. The youngsters formally began the next step of their journey of faith, as Adam did, too.

Having joined the Priory, as a curate, under Rod’s guidance back in 2022, few would realise that Adam was actually part-time at the Priory, whilst working, effectively full-time, as a teacher of religious studies.

His enthusiastic embracing of ‘all things Priory’ was celebrated both after the 8am service, with coffee and croissants and at a slideshow during his bring-and-share leaving lunch after the 10.30am Altogether Worship. There was evidence that Rod’s tutelage included folding-table deployment, Mothering Sunday posy management and getting to know the (extensive) Priory congregation; all very successfully completed by Adam. His sermons were thought-provoking and inspiring and he excelled in children’s talks.

Adam’s exceptional three-year development in ‘Christingle Service Skills’ included participating in Rod’s dastardly flour-in-the-face ‘flour cake game’ in 2022, creating a real Christmas pudding in a pulpit and dressing a human Christmas pudding (Rita) in 2023. It culminated in 2024 with Adam scooting up the main aisle and deftly wheelbarrowing an ordinand to deliver the Christingle candle.

LLM David led the congregation in prayer for Adam and his family as he completes his curacy and becomes both chaplain and teacher of religious education at his school. Churchwarden David presented him with a cheque after the sumptuous bring and share lunch where the congregation, aged from 1-year-and-six-days to another celebrating their 94th birthday, enjoyed delicious food, fellowship and a slice of Adam’s leaving cake.

A Sunday of new beginnings…

‘We welcome you’ to the newly baptised
and
’Thank you, Adam, and God bless you.’