The new rector of Beaulieu Abbey church was invited on to BBC Radio Solent’s “Tomorrow’s news today” programme to answer a quiz question – ‘how many times is the word love mentioned in the Bible?’ The Revd Catherine Cowie offered the wise answer that in fact the number was anything between 300 and 800, depending on the translation and sometimes the perceived meaning of the word!
In her first interview since she arrived at the end of September, she said she thought those who had chosen her were “courageous and brave” to appoint a “youngish” woman to the important role. Indeed, Revd Catherine has become the first female rector in the church’s 495-year history. She also explained how her husband Alexander had first spotted the vacancy advert in the Church Times and suggested to her “that sounds absolutely right for you.”
After the interviews took place she said she would wait until she had a sign from God that He wanted her in the Beaulieu benefice. “Then that sign came,” she said, “as I sat under an oak tree by the Beaulieu River. And here I am.”
The new Rector said she was grateful for the support she had received not just from the congregation, but also from everyone she had already met in the area. She was keen to build on the enthusiasm for the future she had encountered at every turn.
The Revd Catherine conducted the first services of her incumbency on Sunday 29 September at Buckler’s Hard and at the Abbey Church. This was just four days after she was instituted by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, and was handed the keys of the ancient Abbey Church!
During the packed service to mark her appointment – a service which has changed little in many generations – Revd Catherine was introduced to the bishop by the patron, Lord Montagu, who told Bishop Philip: “After prayerful consideration and due consultation, Catherine Anne Cowie has been nominated and accepted to be rector of this benefice.”
After the bishop had handed the new rector the deed of institution, the Archdeacon of Bournemouth, the Ven. Jean Burgess, placed Revd Catherine’s hand on the Abbey church door handle and she was presented by the parish’s respective wardens with the keys of the three churches for which she has responsibility.
As well as the Abbey Church, Revd Catherine also takes under her wing the churches at Exbury and East Boldre, and the chapel at Buckler’s Hard, all of which form part of the current wider Beaulieu Benefice.
The congregation at Revd Catherine’s institution service included parishioners from all three churches, local dignitaries, and a large contingent who had traveled from her previous multi-parish benefice in the north Cotswolds.
Revd Catherine will move into the rectory with her husband and two young children when remedial work is completed.
After her first services Revd Catherine, officially the rector of the parish, was presented by verger Derek Hewitt with a framed drawing of the original Exbury church – dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria. When the church was replaced in the 19th century, the name changed to St Katharine. Revd Catherine told the congregation it would be the first item to be hung when the family moved into the rectory!
To watch the service of the Institution of Rev’d Cowie as Rector, please click here.
Words provided by Michael Imeson, pictures by Linda Dunham of the Beaulieu camera group and video by Mike Taylor.
