2024 marks 30 years since women were first ordained priest. A special service to celebrate the anniversary and all that has been achieved since then will be held at Pershore Abbey on Thursday 20 June at 7pm.
In 1994, 22 women were ordained in the Diocese of Worcester to serve in parishes across Worcestershire and Dudley. Those pioneers will be guests of honour at the service alongside the many women who have been ordained since and all those who have supported them along the way. Bishop John will preach at the service, Archdeacon Nikki Groarke will lead the prayers and there will be interviews with one of the first women ordained in our diocese as well as one of the most recently ordained. There will be cava and cake after the service!
Dean of Women’s Ministry, Becky Elliott, said:
“This anniversary is a great opportunity to acknowledge what women have brought to ordained ministry in the Church of England and celebrate it. We want to rejoice together with joy and thankfulness, being grateful for those who paved the way for us all to fulfil our calling as well as all those who supported us on our journeys. We hope that many of our female clergy and also lay ministers will be able to join us for the service and bring their families and friends along to celebrate!”
All are welcome to the service on Thursday 20 June at 7pm in Pershore Abbey.
