In the last week I have attended three lovely services where 3 priests have been licensed to serve in parishes. The first was in Liverpool Diocese where my friend Reverend Janet Ashton was licensed as Vicar of Hightown. A Blackburn lass, it’s lovely to have Jan back in the North again as she has been in the Midlands for a few years. As you can see from the photo Jan is great fun – this was her taking part in the ice bucket challenge. Please don’t get any ideas!
Rev’d Janet Ashton
The following evening I attended the service at St. Cuthbert’s Darwen when Reverend Nicholas Davis was licensed as Priest in Charge of St Cuthbert’s Darwen with St Stephen’s Tockholes. This is a traditional church which has passed resolutions meaning no women clergy can serve there… but the women clergy who attended the event were made very welcome. Nick is no stranger to St Cuthbert’s and St Stephen’s having served his curacy there!
Finally, on Monday this week, I attended the licensing of Reverend Sheelagh Aston as Priest in Charge of St. Silas’ Blackburn. This was a quieter service but moving nonetheless. The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen gave Sheelagh a warm welcome to this multicultural parish. It will be good to have Sheelagh as a colleague!