Gail Reflects on her Ordination to the Priesthood
On the 1st of July I will be ordained as a priest in Bristol Cathedral, exactly one year to the date after being ordained deacon. Who knew that 24 years after the first 32 women were ordained on 12 March 1994 in Bristol Cathedral (including Reverend Sue Restall from St Mary’s ,Yate!) that I would become one of their number!
The question that everyone keeps asking me is ‘do you feel ready? The answer is simple - ‘yes and no’! I am not sure anyone feels absolutely ready for this calling but what I can say is that I am ready not in my own strength but in the strength that I find in God. The year that I have spent serving the community in Yate has been amazing, difficult at times, but incredibly rewarding and I have felt affirmed in my calling.
Although through my spiritual journey I have come a long way, in earth miles I have only come from Winterbourne, my sending parish. It has been a real privilege to be part of the growing links in the Mission Area and working with the Fromeside Benefice (of which Winterbourne is one of the parishes) to see how we can work together to best help each other in the Missio Dei (God’s mission).
Being ordained priest means that I can now preside at Holy Communion and weddings. This feels like such a privilege and I am looking forward to presiding at my first Holy Communion services at St Mary’s on the 8th July.
I am thrilled to be serving my curacy in the parish of Yate and have felt so welcomed here over the past year. I look forward to the challenges ahead in the next few years. What is certain that when I affirm to Bishop Lee that ‘by the help of God’ I will accept the duties and calling laid upon me, I truly mean this!
Gail Thomas
We are holding a Celebration Tea for Gail at St Nix on July 1st at 3:00 pm, its bring and share so bring some scones or cakes.
I am thrilled to be serving my curacy in the parish of Yate and have felt so welcomed here over the past year. I look forward to the challenges ahead in the next few years. What is certain that when I affirm to Bishop Lee that ‘by the help of God’ Iwill accept the duties and calling laid upon me, I truly mean this!
Gail Thomas