For St Stephen the Martyr, Moulton, our major event of 2006 took place on Monday 8 May: the Licensing of our new priest Robin Forrester – and, even if we say so ourselves, the evening went off very well!

The Licensing of a new priest is a very important event for any church and requires contributions from a large number of people, both locally and from the wider church community. Many of the local arrangements were made by the Church Wardens and other members of the PCC, together with other volunteers from the congregation. The order of service for the inauguration of a new parish ministry follows closely the Church of England’s document ‘The Licensing of a Priest-in-Charge’, and it was the responsibility of the Acting Rural Dean to ensure that the service proceeded smoothly. Revd Sheila Hughes carried out this duty with great efficiency, managing to combine the qualities of a Sergeant Major with those of a genial host.

The service started with the procession entering the church at exactly 7.30pm: the Cross bearer, choir, visiting Readers and Clergy, the Patron (Revd Martyn Cripps, Rector of Davenham), Incumbent Designate (Robin Forrester), Rural Dean (Acting, Revd Sheila Hughes), Archdeacon (Venerable Donald Allister), Churchwardens, and the Bishop of Birkenhead, Rt Revd David Urquart. The Rural Dean welcomed the congregation and announced the first hymn: ‘See what a morning, gloriously bright’. After the Greeting by Bishop David, Robin was introduced to the local church and community by the Archdeacon. After a Declaration of Assent - during which Robin affirmed his loyalty to the Church of England and his belief in the faith as revealed in the Holy Scriptures - he then took the Oaths, holding a New Testament in his right hand. Facing the people, he affirmed his Allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors; then, facing the Bishop, he affirmed his Canonical Obedience to the Lord Bishop of Chester, Revd Dr Peter Forster. After the Hymn ‘There is a Redeemer’ and a passage from Scripture, we had the pleasure of a warm and moving sermon by Bishop David, and a further Hymn ‘In Christ alone my Hope is found’.

Then followed the Licensing and Installation, during which the Bishop formally recognises that the priest is called of God to this new work and commissions him for it - the Bishop reads the Licence and delivers it to the priest, followed by a blessing. Robin then announced forthcoming services, inviting people to attend the first celebration of Holy Communion of the new ministry. This was then followed by the 4th in Robin’s selection of Hymns: ‘Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night’, as the Rural Dean led him, the Archdeacon, Churchwardens and the Bishop down the aisle to the font where they carried out the Act of Dedication: in this, and the accompanying prayers, the priest and people together commit themselves to a shared vision and partnership in ministry and worship. A member of the congregation presented a jug of water, saying ‘Robin, receive this water as a sign of our new life in Christ and our common calling to make disciples of all nations’. After pouring the water into the font Robin was reminded of his duties by the Bishop, who concluded: ‘… As servant of God’s people you are to endeavour to keep them in unity and fellowship. Will you do this?’, to which Robin replied ‘With the help of God, I will’.

The procession then returned to the front of the church for the concluding section of the Licensing, during which a member of the congregation presented Robin with bread and wine which he placed on the holy table, after which the Bishop said: ‘Robin, it is the privilege and joy of the Priest to preside at the Holy Communion, to lead the worship of God’s people, and to bless them in the Name of the Lord’.

The Licensing completed, and Robin now having been given the ‘tools of his trade’ as it were, the Bishop announced: ‘I present to you, Robin, your new Priest-in-charge. Churchwardens, church councillors, and people of this parish, will you pray for, care for and support Robin and his family as he will pray for, care for and support you?’ After the response, the Rural Dean said: ‘As Rural Dean I welcome you to the Deanery of Middlewich. Representatives of your parish, of other local churches, and of the local community would like to greet you’. The following people then each gave a brief welcome to Robin: Churchwarden Mo Hewitt and Acting Churchwarden & Treasurer Steve Gurr (standing-in for Grant Davis, absent due to illness); Patron Revd Martyn Cripps, Rector of Davenham; Diocesan Secretary, Canon Stephen Marriott; Representative from Chester Cathedral, Canon Trevor Dennis; Chair of Middlewich Deanery, Mike Hoden; Representative from Churches Together, Revd Russell Rigby; Lady Mayor of Northwich, Councillor Mrs Lesley Cotterill; Retiring Chairman of Moulton Parish Council, Mark Green; Representative from Moulton and District Community Association, Graham Scott; Representative from Moulton Old Friends, Mrs Margaret Gill; Head Teacher of Moulton Church Primary School, Mr David Coulbeck; Representative from Moulton Royal British legion, Mr John Vernon; and, finally, President of Moulton Women’s Institute, Mrs Gladys Kirkham.

After final prayers and the final Hymn ‘Facing a task unfinished’, the Bishop concluded the service with the blessing ‘Go in peace to love and serve the Lord’. The congregation then followed the procession out of the church, and most then made it hot-foot to the Village Hall for a chance to meet and socialise with Robin, Jenny (his wife), the other dignitaries, and to participate in the very substantial and sumptuous buffet. This was supplied by Mid-Cheshire College (under the tutelage of our very own PCC member Sandra Walsh) with additional delicacies and cakes donated by the ladies of the parish, marshalled expertly by Jean Pearson.

The evening was thoroughly enjoyable, and no-one present could fail to enjoy the very moving service and the warmth of the reception afterwards.

Bill Allen and Steve Gurr (22/05/06)