The Parish of Malew and Santan gathered for a very special service in the Abbey Church yesterday 1st February – on the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple – for the Institution and Induction of their Vicar, Rev Ruth Walker.
Ruth has been Priest in Charge of the parish for the last two years and the Bishop, Archdeacon, and members of the parish are delighted that Ruth’s journey of faith now continues with them as the Vicar of Malew and Santan, which is a mark of the life to be found in the parish as well as of God’s call to Ruth herself.
In her sermon given at the service our Archdeacon, Ven Irene Cowell, reflected on the astonishment that was felt by Mary and Joseph, when they took their baby to be presented in the Temple, and two faithful old members of the Temple each declared that the infant in their arms was the hungrily awaited Messiah that had been foretold for many generations.
I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me.
Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple.
The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant. Malachi 3
Irene mused on the nature of all journeys through life – sometimes challenging and not working out in the way we expect – and yet, on many occasions, proving to be a gift to us and the people we are with.
The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin resounded with voices singing traditional and contemporary songs of worship in the service that witnessed Ruth making her oaths and declarations in the presence of the Bishop, the Archdeacon and the Vicar General, having been presented to the Bishop by His Excellency the Lt Governor representing King Charles III, Patron of the Parish of Malew and Santan.
A wonderful bring and share buffet was served in the Church Hall following the service.
The service was attended by people from all the churches in the parish, local ministers, ecumenical church representatives, Commissioners and Tynwald representatives. Worship music was led by the Abbey’s AMPP (Abbey & Malew Parish Players), and the organist was Alexander Owenson, a 5th year pupil at King Williams College who says he felt honoured to play for this service, his fourth in the Abbey Church.