40 people from across Worcestershire and Dudley received ‘Maundy Money’ from HM the Queen this morning in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.
The special service was held in Worcester Cathedral for the first time since 1980. 75 men and 75 women received money (equivalent to the Monarch’s age). Here are details of those who were recipients from our diocese:
- Kathleen Davis – Kath was nominated for her work with Licensed Lay Ministers in the Diocese. She has been a Lay Minister herself for 22 years and has served as Archdeaconry and Diocesan Warden of Readers. She worships at St Andrew’s Church in Wollescote. She also serves as a Chaplain in a local hospice.
- Margaret Mandrell – For many years, Margaret has raised funds for Christian Aid and community projects in Africa and regularly helps to lead an Old People's Club.
- Margaret Farquhar – Margaret has been a Licensed Lay Minister for over thirty years. Her particular focus in parish work is with mothers and toddlers and also with the elderly and vulnerable.
- Maria Toman – Maria is a member of Upton Parish Church and has served as Lay Chair of the Deanery for the past six years, giving freely of her time and considerable talents.
- Alison Vincent – Alison worked in the Diocesan Office for 47 years before her retirement, joining as an Office Junior in 1972 and working her way up to be Office Manager. She has also supported the Church House Club.
- Jennifer Whittaker – Jennifer has given many years of faithful service in parish ministry and has a passionate commitment to the pastoral care of the elderly, the bereaved and the vulnerable.
- Mary Butcher – For many years, Mary served as the Clergy Widows and Widowers' Officer giving pastoral support and care.
- Rosemary Herbert – Rosemary has offered faithful parish ministry through times of great change.
- Sheila Hill – Sheila has worked with the local foodbank, women's refuge and local Christian Aid group.
- Sister Luke – Sister Luke has made a very valuable contribution to ecumenical relations throughout the region.
- Jean Colley – has been the churchwarden of St Edburgha in Leigh for around 25 years, a role that she has enjoyed, particularly helping with weddings, baptisms and even funerals. She has been involved with the community shop in Alfrick since it started 12 years ago and has managed it for the last three years and is involved with the Alfrick Players and Leigh choir.
- Gwen Taylor – Gwen has given faithful service in the parish and local community over many years.
- Wendy Malkinson – Wendy has been a churchwarden at St Anne’s Church in Wyre Piddle for the last 13 years. She married a clergyman at age 19 and has supported his ministry and immersed herself in parish life ever since. She has been a lifelong member of the Mothers’ Union, sung in the church choir and set up and run mother and baby groups in the parishes in which they’ve served.
- Elizabeth Landale - With her late husband, Elizabeth encouraged and supported people in prayer through the organisation and hosting of Quiet Days.
- Jane Fraser – Jane is a qualified social worker, working for many years with people with learning difficulties, particularly when they came to the Brook Advisory Centres for relationship and sexual health advice. She was ordained as a self-supporting Deacon in 1979 and was one of the first women to be ordained priest in 1994. She serves at Earls Croome and Hill Croome churches in Upton on Severn.
- Charmian Manship – Charmian was nominated for her work in Prison chaplaincy and advocacy work in Criminal Justice.
- Peter Davies – Peter served as a Licensed Lay Minister from 2000 and was ordained in 2013. He has been part of All Saints Church as well as St George’s and Claines in Worcester and before ordination was a Lay Canon on the Cathedral Chapter. He is a part of the diocesan deliverance ministry team.
- Trevor Tipple – Before retirement, Trevor was an organ builder and repairer and is an active promoter of music in church.
- John Green – John had a rich and varied ministry in parishes and the Diocese over many years, serving as Director of Ordinands from 1992 – 2008. has also been Chair of the Morogoro Partnership Group in the Diocese for the last 10 years.
- John Dentith– John was Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Church Buildings for 16 years, supporting churches looking to make changes to their buildings. He has been a member of St Barnabas with Christ Church in Worcester since 1985, serving in a range of roles including churchwarden, Secretary and Lay Chair of the PCC. He is still their representative on Diocesan Synod.
- Anthony Glossop – Anthony is a great supporter of workplace chaplaincy and has provided invaluable support for the diocesan Retreat Centre.
- Michael Cartledge – Michael has fundraised for Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester. He is a long-serving churchwarden and PCC member.
- Peter Seward – Peter was Vice Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance for many years, serving on the Investment and Glebe Committee, Diocesan and Deanery Synod and the PCC. He also served two terms on the Cathedral Council and was a Director of Cathedral Enterprises.
- John Nicholson – John is a member of St James’ Church in Wollaston, Stourbridge. He has served as Lay Chair of the Deanery for 18 years and was a member of Bishop’s Council for many years. He is a member of the PCC, an ALM Children’s Worker, Eucharistic Assistant and a member of the Open the Book and ‘Gather’ teams, as well as a Governor of St James’ CE Primary School.
- Spencer Mitchell – Spencer has given a lifetime of faithful Christian service to his local church and the wider community.
- Chris Liley – Chris retired to Worcestershire 11 years ago from his role as Archdeacon of Worcester and offered pastoral care for other retired clergy and widows as Dean of Retired clergy for 7 years. He still regularly takes services, supports clergy and is also a part of the Amnesty Group in Pershore as well as the Civic Planning Committee.
- Keith Layton – Keith has volunteered for many years as a prison visitor; he is an advocate for criminal justice and rehabilitation. He has given great service in the maintenance of church fabric.
- Michael Willows – For many years, Michael and his late wife gave voluntary pastoral care and support for retired clergy and widows across the Diocese.
- Mike Elden – Mike is a passionate promoter of church music and has a faithful and much valued parish ministry as a musician.
- Bill Simpson – Bill is a long-serving churchwarden and has cared for the churchyard and garden over 40 years.
- Patricia Deeley – Patricia has for many years given voluntary pastoral care and support for retired and sick clergy across the Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
- Jo Barnacle – Jo has been a great support and encouragement for church work with families and has done voluntary work in clergy formation.
- Philip Jones – Philip has been actively involved in ecumenical engagement on behalf of the RC Church throughout Worcestershire.
- Timothy Burt – Timothy has given over thirty years of service as a Baptist Minister.
- Gwendydd Askew – For her ministry in Wales and in Worcestershire. Gwendydd is a strong supporter and advocate for Women's Ministry.
- Stanley Rose – Stanley has had a rich and varied ministry in his local church. He has completed much charitable fundraising including Marathon running into his eighties.
- David Kershaw – David is a Methodist Local Preacher and has given a life-long contribution in the field of education.
- Chris Buxton – Chris has dutifully served for over 47 unbroken years as Captain of local Boys' Brigade.
- Janet Stilgo – Janet is a key member of a team which provides weekly lunches and fellowship for senior citizens living alone. She is also a keen supporter of ecumenical engagement.
- Sophie Dodds – After retirement, Sophie was churchwarden in Harvington for 11 years, running the summer and Christmas fetes for 10 years and project managing a £180,000 refurbishment of St James Church. She’s also worked for U3A for 24 years, teaching German classes.
The tradition of presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the 4th Century and in this country, the first record of the monarch doing it is in 1213. The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘Commandment’. It was on this Thursday, the day before he died, that Jesus gave his disciples what he described as a new commandment: ‘that you should love one another as I have loved you.’
This year, the Maundy Money was distributed by Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of His Majesty The King at Worcester Cathedral. In his role as Lord High Almoner, Bishop John accompanied HM The Queen. He said: “It was an honour to be able to welcome HM The Queen to Worcester. This is an immensely special service and I know it will mean a huge amount to those who have been chosen to receive the coins, all of whom will have given years of service to their local communities.”
