"I have known the presence of God all my life" Rowena Francis told a packed congregation of synod members, leaders of regional churches, and other invited guests who had gathered at St James's Church in central Newcastle on January 13th for her service of Induction as Moderator of the Northern Synod of the United Reformed Church.
She went on to refer to highlights in her life journey, including an experience of God's nearness at the age of eight, her baptism by total immersion at sixteen, and her ordination, and then described the challenge put to her just a year ago by the Women in Ministry Group, leading her hesitantly to the process which culminated in her appointment.
The Convenor of the Appointment Group, the Revd Susan Durber, had already described the process of consultation between Synod and General Assembly representatives that led to the appointment, noting that this had been the first time that a new and more inclusive process had been used. "We had a wide range of applications with a good mix of men and women, a wide range of experiences in ministry, a real diversity of theological stance, and some variation in ethnicity" she told the congregation, before concluding "We came to the decision together that it was Rowena who should be invited, and we believe that we were guided by the Holy Spirit."
The service of induction was led by the Revd Elizabeth Caswell, the current Moderator of General Assembly; and her introductory prayers were immediately taken up by a group of children from synod churches who in brief prayers of welcome outlined their own hopes for Rowena's ministry. The challenge of the epistle, Paul's reflection on the body, was strengthened through a sketch by a group of young people from our churches. And times of reflection were aided through the fine singing of a small choir and music group, again made up of members from a number of our churches.
The sermon was given by the Revd Elizabeth Welch, moderator of West Midlands Synod, who admitted her reluctance to lose Rowena - and without even receiving a transfer fee. Speaking of the generosity of God celebrated through Epiphany themes, she commented wryly on the tendency in our dissenting traditions to do down gifts of personal leadership. "The synod needs the encouragement and support of the moderator" she told the congregation, "and the moderator needs the encouragement and support of the synod."
After the act of induction, greetings were given by representatives of the synod and its mission partnerships, by representatives of the Churches of the region and the other faith communities, and also by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and the Mayor of Gateshead.
The final hymn in the service, sung to the rousing tune Jerusalem, was a recent composition by Rowena's husband, Alan Hinton, a supernumary Methodist minister who is delighted to be back on his home territory of the North East. After the blessing, many in the congregation came to the front of the church to have a better view of the quilt, which had been assembled from pieces made by the individual churches specially for the occasion.
This piece of symbolism of the life we share together, in unity and diversity, had been well reflected in our worship. We had sensed God's Spirit - and will continue to pray that that same Spirit may enrich and fulfil Rowena's ministry among us in the years ahead.
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Music group and choir rehearsal |
A full congregation |
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Induction promises |
London Road, Warwick organist Tim Campain |
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FURY sketch |
Ecumenical guests |