Morpeth minister Ron Forster, a member of the St Cuthbert's Centre Management Team, reports on the induction of Rachel Poolman on September 24th.
Waiting for the sea to part on a sunny breezy September Saturday afternoon.... Well the North Sea parts twice in every day for a few hours so that travellers, pilgrims and residents can get across the causeway to and from Holy Island. But on this occasion it was critical to get across on time, we only had half an hour to be in the church, seated and ready for the induction of Revd Rachel Poolman to the ministry of the Warden of St Cuthbert’s Centre.
Ninety of us from all parts of the British Isles, representing Rachel's past, present, and future.
We need not have panicked. Some didn’t - they had been on the island from mid morning. Sheila Flett and the Centre Management Committee, Revd Rowena Francis, Synod Moderator and Rachel herself had it all ‘sorted’ as they say. We were all in places in good time in the parish church of St Mary the Virgin. The band from St George’s, Morpeth played us in. The Vicar, Revd Dr Paul Collins, warmly welcomed us.
The Revd Ruth Whitehead reflected on the story of Jacob at Bethel. And Revd Lythan Nevard reflected on the journey to Emmaus. They together with Revd Dr Susan Durber linked it in song ‘ No Hopers, Jokers and Rogues’ – might be a ladder to the stars who knows? Rachel told us why she was here. ‘It’s a funny old world, but it’s God's world, and I have never expected to go where I have been’. Sheila Flett told us how it was right and proper that Rachel should be here.
Revd Dr Kristy Thorpe and Revd Dr Susan Durber reminded why we were here as they lead us in the Statement of Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church. Wow! -which other minister can say that the Moderator of the General Assembly and the Principal of Westminster College together read the statement at their induction? But that’s why many of us are here: because the highest of high and lowest of low can mix together and even take it in turns to be the highest or lowest. Jokers and rogues yes, but no hopers -definitely not. We have our hope in The living God, the only God ever to be praised. Rowena Francis on behalf of the North Northumberland Mission Partnership and Northern Synod led us through the essential promises and declared Rachel inducted.
The newly inducted warden was then presented with gifts - all useful and functional for ministry in her charge: a Bible, the keys of St Cuthbert’s Centre, a book of prayers, tide tables (when it's safe to come and go to Holy Island) and an Atlas (so Rachel knows where God is taking her, at least when she gets there). The said atlas was presented by a Knight of the Realm and local MP, Sir Alan Beith.
The final hymn, written by Shirley Erena Murray, was led by the band and the ad-hoc choir of Susan, Ruth and Lythan:
For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free
And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy .......
Rachel blessed us all and was played out by the band to Lord of the Dance interspersed with two Northumbrian rants. (A rant is a folk dance tune.)
The fellowship continued as we adjourned to the St Cuthbert’s Centre for refreshments and greetings. Oh, and it was said that in Rachel St Cuthbert’s has someone with ‘a wise head, a warm heart and a creative spirit’. We couldn’t ask for more nor a better beginning to this new ministry.
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The congregation - St Cuthbert's coffin and the Band - the ad hoc Choir (Susan, Ruth and Lythan) |
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| Above: moments from the service |  |
Below: greetings at the door, and at the St Cuthbert's Centre |
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