Congratulations to those who graduated from the diocesan Licensed Ministry Training and collected their awards at a special service at St Paul’s Church in Winchester!
Graduates from across the diocese and in many varied roles across the church came together to celebrate. Bishop Philip awarded graduates with their Durham University awards, which for some have taken three years of intense study. He also commissioned some Bishop’s Commission for Mission students. Find photos from the evening here.
Licensed Ministry Training Tutor William Howard said, “Tonight is so important for all these good people who have done the training for their various ministries, and they’ve made a lot of sacrifice as they’ve gone through it. It isn’t straightforward to incorporate all that they need to do as part of their training amidst the warp and weft of their lives and yet here they all are, they’ve seen it through to the end and they’re getting recognition for all the work that they’ve done. It is just a joy to see how God has been faithful, how they have been faithful and to see them here is one of the most wonderful evenings of the year. They are all from different parts of the diocese but united here in serving God and seeing his Kingdom anticipated.”
Bishop David gave the sermon focussing on the Lord’s Prayer. The service also included the presentation of the awards, hymns, prayers and the sharing of communion. It was one of Bishop David’s last roles ahead of taking up his position as Bishop of Truro.
Three graduates also gave short testimonies about how their training has impacted their ministry.
Colin Bezant is a LLM at St Mary’s, Old Basing and Lychpit and received the Durham Diploma of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission after three years of study.
He said, “I’ve run marathons, and you cross the finish line and for me, there’s not much emotion at that point. The emotion comes later when you realise what you’ve done, and I think this is the same. It’s hard to describe how I feel I’ve changed but I know I’ve changed. I’m not the same Colin as I was three years ago because this has transformed me.”
“There are two types of people who run a marathon”, he added. “There’s the people who get their medal and then never put on their running shoes again and there are others who run the marathon and then want to do another one, that’s me. I don’t think that’s more study or academic training. Being an LLM is what God intended me to be for the moment, but I just feel like I’m going to keep learning and exploring and now I feel equipped to do that.”
Steph Forward from the Parish of Chandlers Ford holds the Bishop’s Permission to Preach and received the Durham Foundation Award in Theology, Ministry and Mission.
She said, “It’s just wonderful to meet up again with all the people that I was on the BPP with. It was such a big part of my life for a year and such an important influence on my relationship with God now, so it’s really nice to celebrate with everyone. It’s made me more passionate about reading the Bible and preaching. I think I have a greater enthusiasm and understanding of the Bible and the power and the joy that is in God’s word.”
Ann Devereux is Assistant Curate at Ampfield, Chilworth and North Baddesley and in her testimony told how she spent the first year of study for ordination over Zoom during Covid, as well as juggling work as a teacher in Religious Education and the loss of both her parents.
She said, “The academic content was both rigorous and thought-provoking, designed to stretch us in every possible way. Through it all I have been so blessed by the wisdom and support of incredible mentors and friends. I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead, love where I am right now, and I move forward with confidence knowing that Jesus walks this path with me. In all the ups and downs, one truth has remained constant – the joy of the Lord is my strength”.
One award was particularly poignant. The Durham certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission was presented to Laura, the daughter of Jane Nicholson. Jane from St Luke’s Sway sadly died in October last year, a week before she was due to be licensed as an LLM.
Sixteen awards were celebrated at the service and five people presented with their Bishop’s Commission for Mission. Many families, friends and colleagues came to show support.
Bishop Philip said, “I find an evening like this incredibly exciting because of the potential in these people. They’re already exercising amazing ministries across the diocese in all sorts of different contexts but the potential, being realised through the training and the development that they’re going through within the diocese, is truly exciting. I’m just delighted to see it, delighted by the people who we’ve commissioned this evening, delighted by the team who’ve worked so hard and really intensively and lovingly to bring them on. There’s a sense of excitement, anticipation and thankfulness to God in the room tonight. It’s just been palpable, and it warms my heart.”
