The Revd Sooz Magee was ordained Priest on Sunday 18 January by the Bishop of Dudley in a special service in Holy Trinity Church, Eckington. Sooz has completed the first stage of her training in the parish and will now be able to preside at Holy Communion, offer blessings and conduct weddings.
Sooz will continue to serve as a curate in the Bredon Hill Group, which includes the churches of Eckington, Defford cum Besford and Bredon with Bredon’s Norton. Her ordination service to become a Priest was led by the Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick, who preached on being a child of God. He said:
“We are all called to be Kingdom People, part of God’s Kingdom. Sooz, you have responded to that call to be a servant of God and to bring others to him. God calls all of us as Christians to follow him as Lord and live as his children - the world needs people of grace and peace who give their lives for others as Jesus did. Whatever your own call, know yourself to be first and foremost a child of God, known and loved by him.”
Reflecting on becoming a Priest, Sooz said:
“My curacy has had its challenges and at times has been bumpy. This has brought about opportunity for deep growth, rootedness and a deeper sense of calling, for which I am so grateful. It has certainly been an adventure!
“A verse of the hymn ‘Immortal invisible God only Wise’ says: ‘We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish, but nought changeth thee.’ Remembering God is our ever-present help has sustained me through the challenging times.
“I have so enjoyed my time in the Bredon Hill group so far, serving in five churches all unique and special. I have been blown away by people’s warmth and their faithfulness.
“I am looking forward to continuing to live out the calling that has so deeply empowered me, not just for myself and the blessing that is for me. But also, my hope is for the blessing and flourishing of others in the churches and in the communities I serve. So that all may share and know the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
See more photos from Sooz' ordination on our Facebook page:
