After a two-year spell without a resident priest in charge, St Andrews Church in Mells was packed on 11th January for the institution and installation of the Reverend Clive Fairclough by the Right Reverend Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton.
Peter Corbett reports, “This is a rather formal name for a joyful service that was conducted with a well-judged lightness of touch by Bishop Ruth, along with the Rural Dean, the Reverend Colin Alsbury, and the Venerable Kevin Roberts, Archdeacon.
“Acting as the Bishop’s chaplain was the Reverend Barry Davies who has led the group of local retired clergy and lay readers who served our parishes during the interregnum.
“The procession in was led by the local church wardens, with local clergy and readers, including many who have conducted services in the five parishes over the last couple of years.
“Parishioners from the five churches, together with other invited guests from the community, celebrated the appointment of our new vicar (technically, Priest in Charge) with a service rich in symbolism.
“Fr Clive was introduced by a member of his former congregation, who had flown from Moscow especially for the occasion, citing Fr Clive’s ‘amazing ministry’ in Moscow.
“The service included a formal legal process of licensing, in which Fr Clive affirmed his loyalty to the church, and swore allegiance to the Queen and canonical obedience to the Bishop. As symbols of his ministry he was escorted by the four churchwardens firstly to the church door, then to toll a bell and finally to his stall.
“Bishop Ruth’s lively sermon outlined the qualities of effective ministry including Fr Clive’s own affirmation of the ‘priesthood of all believers’, the idea that every Christian has equal potential and responsibility for witness and service. The reading, from Matthew 28: 18-20, included the final words of that gospel: ‘remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age’.
“Various symbolic gifts were presented by members of the community, including water for baptism, oil for healing, a Bible and Book of Common Prayer, bread and wine from members of the congregation, a cross from the local ecumenical group FACT, and a map from civic leaders.
“Mells C of E School presented a painting – one of many drawn by the children to represent their ideal vicar, and exhibited in the church.”
