Desmond Tutu visits College for Vocations Day
Saturday 7th November 2009
“CELEBRATING GOD’S CALL” – A VOCATIONS DAY FOR WOMEN AND MEN DISCERNING GOD’S CALL TO THE ORDAINED MINISTRY
The College of the Resurrection organized a Vocations Conference on Saturday 7 November for women and men considering a vocation to the ordained ministry.
We were thrilled that the keynote speaker at the Conference was Desmond Tutu, one of the best known and most outstanding Christian leaders in the world today. In an inspiring address, the Archbishop reflected on the story of God's call in his own life. The conference offered prospective ordinands a unique opportunity to pray and reflect with Archbishop Tutu and to celebrate with him God’s gracious and life-giving call to Christian service.
We were delighted also that the Venerable Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury and one of the foremost priests in the contemporary Church of England, preached at the Eucharist during the Conference.
After lunch, there were opportunities for prospective ordinands to attend workshops looking a variety of topics:
- Being a Newly Ordained Priest - the Revd Louise Codrington-Marshall
- Priestly Ministry with Teenagers - the Revd Wendy Dalrymple
- Tour of the College and Monastery - Patrick Eggleston and Jemma Sander-Heys (Ordinands at the College)
- Hearing God's Call - the Revd Hilary Ison
- Communication and Mission - the Revd Canon Catherine Ogle
- Pastoral Ministry / Gospel Opportunity? - the Revd Canon Kevin Partington
- Starting out in Public Ministry - the Revd Robb Sutherland and Dr Ruth Sutherland
- Priesthood in the Church Today - the Ven Sheila Watson
The day ended with a plenary session, and a blessing by Archbishop Tutu.
Archbishop Tutu’s visit comes at a time of growth and renewal for the College, as people from increasingly diverse backgrounds are drawn by the unique opportunity to train for the ordained ministry while living alongside a community dedicated to prayer.
Photographs and sound clips from the day - including Archbishop Tutu's keynote address - will be available on this website within the next few days. Please visit the site again to see/hear these.