On Wednesday of Holy Week, Bishop Tricia was joined by clergy and ministers for a service for the Blessing of Oils – one of the most important liturgies of the church.
The service focuses on the call to serve one another, and ministers and all who are baptised restate their promise to follow Christ’s way. Also, in a key moment of the service, the Bishop blesses three oils to be used for
- blessing at Baptisms
- anointing people who are sick
- anointing people in their life of faith and ministry
Bishop Tricia reflected on these significant symbols and actions in her sermon:
“Each year we gather in Holy Week to affirm again our commitment to the ministry to which we believe we have each been called. We pause, individually and together, to remember whose we are and why we first said ‘yes’ to Jesus’ invitation to join him in his work and life.
As we come together in this most profound way we also bless the oils which will touch so many lives in the year to come.“
Bishop Tricia’s full sermon here in pdf and Word
The service closed with the hymn “Christ, be our light!“
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light! shine in our hearts,
shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone had pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ be our light!
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Christ be our light!
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light!
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Christ be our light!
