WATCH have announced an event A Way in the Wilderness to be held at the start of next week’s meeting of General Synod.
They will be gathering at St Margaret’s Westminster on 6 February from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm for a panel discussion and service in the course of which they will hear from two of the Anglican Communion’s women bishops about their experience of episcopal ministry and pray for the guidance and blessing of the Holy Spirit on the General Synod.
Details and an invitation to the event are below the fold.
WATCH (Women and the Church)
‘A Way in the Wilderness’
at St Margaret’s Westminster
Feb 6th 2012 11am – 2pm
General Information
This is a critical time in the Church of England’s journey to ordaining women as bishops. Diocesan voting on the draft legislation showed overwhelming support: 42/44 dioceses voted in favour. The final vote on the proposed legislation will take place at the General Synod meeting in York in July.
At the February group of sessions (Feb 6-9), members of Synod will be discussing the results of the diocesan consultation on the draft legislation, a following motion calling for greater provision for those opposed will be debated and the draft Code of Practice (published on Friday 13th January) will also be presented.
The Event
WATCH is holding ‘A Way in the Wilderness’ on Feb 6th at the beginning of the February Synod. We are gathering at St Margaret’s Westminster for a panel discussion and service in the course of which we will hear from two of the Anglican Communion’s women bishops about their experience of episcopal ministry and pray for the guidance and blessing of the Holy Spirit on the General Synod. We are most grateful to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster for making us welcome.
As we pray for a way to be found in the wilderness we will be reminded of God’s promise to bring new life even in desert places. Our service will conclude with a silent prayer vigil in Dean’s Yard. Unlit candles will be held by the congregation to symbolise the light of women’s episcopal ministry that is, as yet, unseen by our Church in England.
Aims
WATCH’s aims are to provide the opportunity for supporters of women’s ordained ministry to make a prayerful act of witness at the start of February’s meeting of General Synod. In particular,
Invitation and detailed programme
WATCH (Women and the Church) invites you to join us for
‘A WAY IN THE WILDERNESS’
St Margaret’s, Westminster
Monday 6th February 2012
11.00 am to 2.00 pm
11.00 am Welcome & Coffee
11.30 am Panel discussion
Chaired by the Ven Dr Jane Hedges, Canon Steward of Westminster Abbey
The Rt Revd Geralyn Wolf, Bishop of Rhode Island
The Rt Revd Susan Moxley, Bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
The Rt Revd Peter Price, Bishop of Bath and Wells
The Revd Canon Dr Judith Maltby, Chaplain of Corpus Christi College, Oxford
The Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Speaker’s Chaplain in the House of Commons
1.00 to 2.00 pm Service
Preacher – The Rt Revd John Gladwin. Former Bishop of Chelmsford
The service will end with a silent prayer vigil in Dean’s Yard
Bring a sandwich lunch, a new candle, and dress warmly!
For more information, contact Hannah Cleugh
(Hannah.cleugh@yahoo.co.uk or 01865 341382)
Well that’s a good start: Prayer and Preaching – with 2 Women Bishops as well as other eminent persons supporting the Ordination of Women as Bishops in the Church of England.
We in other Provinces of the Church, who already enjoy the distinctive characteristics brought to the priesthood and the episcopate by Women, will be supporting you all in prayer as you prepare for the decisions to be made at the July G.S.
Jesus, mercy; Mary, pray!
I shall be praying with you but live in York. Isn’t it time women in the church find out which bishops and parish priests are in favour of women bishops and go to worship where they are?
How could we find out?