Two new deacons were added to the ranks of the Anglican clergy last Tuesday night, the feast of St Bartholomew, in a service of consecration and ordination.
Stephanie-Ann Wedderburn, of Bayfield, St Philip, and Desmond Ward, of Prospect, St James, were ordained in a ceremony presided over by Dr John Holder, Archbishop of the West Indies and Bishop of the Barbados Diocese, at St Leonard’s Anglican Church.
On that occasion, St Leonard’s Church also marked the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the new building – the previous one being destroyed by a fire in 1981.
The service opened with the chanting of psalms by the augmented choir, followed by the singing of the hymns Disposer Supreme and Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven, which marked the entry of the clergy clad in red stoles.
The lessons were read by Angela Kinch and Shelley Ann Wedderburn-Husbands, the Gospel sung by Rev. Wayne Kirton and the sermon delivered by Rev. Michael Maxwell.
Pursue greatness
In the sermon, Maxwell exhorted the ordinands and the church to pursue greatness after the model of Jesus himself who chose the way of service. He further charged them to do so especially as they cared for “the poor, the needy, and all who were in trouble”.
Wedderburn and Ward were presented for ordination by examining chaplains, Rev. Dr Ian Rock, Principal of Codrington College, Rev. Canon Eric Payne, assistant priest at St Stephen’s Church, Rev. Canon William Dixon, retired Dean of the St Michael’s Cathedral, and lay persons Carolyn Ward-Sargeant and George Inniss.
After the examination, Dean, Reverend Dr Frank Marshall, led the litany for ordinations as the ordinands lay prostrate in the aisle.
Archbishop Holder then commended the ordinands to the prayers of the people and led a rendition of the hymn Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire.
First Wedderburn and then Ward knelt before Archbishop Holder, who lay hands on their heads and gave them authority to work as deacons in the Church Of God.
Red stole
Each was soon vested with a red stole and dalmatic before attending ministers, Rev. Jeffrey Gibson, Rev. Beverley Sealy-Knight and Rev. Luther Johnson.
The service continued with a rendition of the Henry Purcell-composed anthem, Rejoice In The Lord Always by the choir. This led to the eucharistic feast which brought many to the altar to receive the blessed sacrament.
The congregation, which packed the church, was drawn from across the diocese as they celebrated with the parents of the ordinands the nurture and formation of Deacons Stephanie and Desmond.
Also present to celebrate the occasion were officers of the Diocese: Charles Leacock, Chancellor; Owen Estwick, Diocesan Secretary, and Dr Hartley Richards, Chairman of the Barbados Diocesan Trustees.
Provincial Secretary Elenor Lawrence, President of the Senate Senator Branford Taitt, and Deputy President Senator Kerry-Ann Ifill were also in attendance. (PR)
