"Have always therefore printed in your mind how great a treasure is committed to your care. For they are the sheep of Christ, whom he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood. The church and congregation whom you must serve is his bride and his body. And if it should come about that the church, or any of its members, is hurt or hindered as a result of your negligence, you know the greatness of the fault and the judgement that will follow..." (from The Ordering of Priests - An Australian Prayer Book, 1978, p609)
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Dave gets 'dressed' up A lot of serious smiling was evident at Sat@6 Church last Saturday evening as a full Chapel gathered to support and witness the formal ordination of our much-loved brother Dave Morgan to the ministry.
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Dave, Martin and Bishop Peter Martin Trotman, on behalf of the whole St Marks family, presented Dave to be admitted to the Order of Priests. Bishop Peter Brain's exhortations to Dave were made with gravity and warmth; bearing out the weight of responsibility together with the excellence of serving as a shepherd under Christ. |
A group of likeminded shepherds from around the diocese laid hands on Dave as the Bishop prayed a prayer of commitment over him.
"Receive the Holy Spirit for the office and work of a priest in the church of God, now committed to you by the laying on of hands. Whose sins you forgive they are forgiven: who sins you retain they are retained*; and be a faithful dispenser of the word of God and of his holy sacraments; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
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Dave, Kylie, Asha & Bronte Morgan |
A great, solemn and joyous night!