RSS Feed

Hundreds of people celebrate at 'Sharing the Journey'

Archive content
This is a text-only version of an article first published on Monday, 10 April 2017. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.


HUNDREDS of people attended 'Sharing the Journey', a celebration of 20 years of women priests, at Oxford's Cathedral at Christ Church on Saturday 7 June.

Bishops, Archdeacons and speakers pose with the women who were ordained in 1994.

Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to the Speaker in the House of Commons, urged women to listen to God's call and 'go for it' in an inspiring service during the thanksgiving at the Cathedral in the morning.

The Ven.

Karen Gorham, the Archdeacon of Buckingham, presided at the service, which featured dancing from Ballet Rambert and was followed by a panel discussion at St Mary the Virgin Church on High Street.

The Panel was chaired by Canon Dr Judith Maltby.

Speakers were Preb.

Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Revd Caroline Symcox, the Bishop of Buckingham and Christina Rees.

Discussion ended with the panel pointing out that the next Bishop of Oxford could potentially be a woman.

Speaking after the event the Revd Liz Johnson, one of the first women to be ordained whose daughter, Em Coley, is also a priest, said: "The highlight of the day was the inspiring preaching by Rose Hudson-Wilkin.

I've also been moved by how much support we have from both men and women. "

The Revd Colin James of All Saints, Wokingham, said: "It's been a celebration and we need to celebrate.

I have always felt very strongly that it was wrong not to accept the gifts God gives us.

Men and women have something unique to contribute and not to allow women to be ordained was to throw God's gifts back in his face.

I didn't allow myself to go for ordination until women were able to be ordained. "

The Revd Dr Amanda Bloor, Diocesan Advisor for Women's Ministry, who organised the event, said: "I feel the day has gone brilliantly.

It's good to see a range of people looking back and remembering but also looking forward to what will happen in the future. "

Page last updated: Tuesday 25th January 2022 9:06 AM
Powered by Church Edit