Welcome back Denise!

We're delighted to announce that, from September 2009, the Reverend Denise McDougall has joined the United Benefice Ministry Team to serve St Faith's and St Mary's as an N.S.M. (Non-Stipendiary Minister).  This is of course a homecoming for her, as she has her roots at St Faith's and will be  cserving and working among old friends. Below you can see pictures of her first Sunday at St Faith's - September 13th, 3009, followed by the words and pictures with which we marked her ordination on June 29th, 2003.


Denise writes:

Dear friends,

I am delighted to have accepted the appointment to become the new Non Stipendiary Minister at St. Faith’s and St. Mary’s. For many I will need little introduction because I had been a life-long member of St. Faith’s until I was licensed  to Christ Church in Waterloo after my ordination in 2003. Others of course will know very little about me and I look forward to us all getting to know each other well when I join the United Benefice in September.

I have spent six extremely happy and fruitful years at Christ Church, Waterloo  but as we all know God moves in mysterious ways and I firmly believe that I am now being called to support the Parishes of St. Faith’s and St. Mary’s as they continue to grow and develop spiritually. I see this opportunity as an exciting and positive move forward for us all. Please be assured of my prayers during the next few months; may I ask that you also pray for all who will be affected by this change and for me and as my own personal journey of faith leads me in a different direction.

God bless. With love and prayers, 

Denise



'Nice to  see you...'

On Sunday, September 13th, Revd Denise was formally welcomed into the Ministry team of the United Benefice.
Following her reception at the 9.30 am service at St Mary's, she was welcomed aboard at St Faith's at the 11.00 Sung Eucharist.
Fr Neil and Churchwarden Maureen Madden are seen with her in front of the Nave Altar during the course of the service.
Her husband Bruce and two of her daughters brought up the bread and wine to the altar at the offertory.
At the end of the service, she  was given a card and a greeting by members of our Sunday School,
accompanied by the children chanting: 'Nice to see you, to see you, Denise!'
After the service, at an informal reception in the Church Hall, we were joined by some of St Mary's congregation.
Denise is seen addressing the assembly, and posing with members of her family.
 












Back in  2003....
Denise McDougall and the Dog Collar

St Faith’s has a long tradition of fostering vocations to the priesthood, including of course the late Archbishop Robert Runcie. The latest in a long line, made deacon in Liverpool Cathedral at the Peterstide ordinations on Sunday, June 29th by the Bishop of Liverpool, was Mrs Denise McDougall – the first woman ordinand in our church’s history.

Following the splendour of the ordination service, at which seven women and six men were made deacon, Denise was welcomed at St Faith’s by her many friends and supporters. That evening she assisted at a Sung Eucharist at the neighbouring parish of Christ Church, Waterloo, where she will serve as curate. We send our congratulations, love and prayers to Denise: our pictures capture something of the atmosphere of a very special day for her and for St Faith’s.
 
 

 
 

The new deacons get their marching orders from Bishop James Jones after the ordination service

Greeting friends in the cathedral nave.


 

With husband Bruce, arriving at St Faith’s for the reception

With Fr Neil Kelley and parishioners at the start of the party.

Cutting the ‘ordination cake’ made for her by Mrs Audrey Dawson.

With the ‘refreshment ladies’: l.to r. Mesdames Ruth Winder, Betty Sutcliffe,
Margaret Gallant, Chris Spence, Lillie Wilmot, Angie Price and Audrey Dawson.

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