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CHAPTER 23
A
Service of Institution and
Welcoming
This service may be adapted to the particular
circumstances. Hymns may be sung at appropriate places. The
VicarElect may be escorted by supporters and
whanau/family.
The
Gathering of the Community
A
processional hymn may be sung.
The Bishop greets the people with this or another
greeting.
Grace and peace to you from God.
God
fill you with truth and joy.
The
Bishop continues using these or other appropriate
words.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we meet to welcome and
institute N, your new Vicar. We shall pray for N in this
new ministry and for you all, as together with her/him, you
participate in the continuing ministry of the Church. So we
shall join together and give praise and worship to God
through Jesus Christ.
Let us pray (in silence) for all our ministries, giving
thanks for those who down through the years carried the
flame of the Gospel in this place.
Silence
Faithful God,
from age to age you gather a people to yourself;
we thank you for all who have served you here;
send your Holy Spirit to give us understanding of the past,
a vision for the future, and wisdom in all we undertake.
These prayers and praises we bring to you, O God,
through Jesus our Redeemer
who is alive with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Amen.
The
congregation sits.
The
readings and
sermon follow.
The
Presentation
The Archdeacon affirms that the Vicar-Elect has signed the
Articles of Canonical Obedience.
Bishop N
has been called and ordained a priest in the Church. Now,
having fulfilled the necessary canonical requirements, we
bring her/him to this community to preach the word,
celebrate the sacraments, and build up the body of Christ.
Through baptism God calls each of us to the work of
ministry. We are to use the gifts we have been given to
witness to the Gospel, to serve the kingdom, and to glorify
God.
As we welcome N we will consider both the ministry s/he
will exercise and also our common calling as disciples and
ministers of Christ.
The
Promises of the VicarElect and the People of the
parish
God's presence with us is
symbolised in the font, the lectern, the altar, the people,
and the presider's chair. Verses of a hymn may be sung
between these points of focus. Representatives of the
parish present symbols to the VicarElect which relate to
areas of ministry.
At
the Font:
Representative
N, receive this water.
Be among us to baptise as Christ commanded.
People
Amen.
Archdeacon
Jesus said: Go and
make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 28:19)
Will you faithfully administer the sacrament of baptism in
this parish?
VicarElect
Yes, I will. I shall
baptise those who come to be made members of Christ's
Church.
The
water is poured into the font.
I ask you, my sisters and brothers in Christ, will you
share with those who are baptised what we ourselves have
received?
People
We will share our delight in prayer, our love for the word
of God, the desire to follow the way of Christ, and food
for the journey.
At
the Lectern:
Representative
N, receive this holy
Bible. Be among us to proclaim God's word to God's people.
People
Amen.
Archdeacon
Jesus said: Go into
all the world and preach the good news to the whole
creation. (Mark 16:15)
Will you study and proclaim these scriptures, be a faithful
teacher in this parish, and make known God's love for all?
VicarElect
Yes, I will. The
scriptures will be the foundation of my teaching and
preaching. May all that we speak and do be in accordance
with them.
The
Bible is placed open on the
lectern.
I ask you, my fellow pilgrims, will you seek renewal, will
you share this new life, and reveal the way of Jesus to all
people?
People
By God's grace and with your help, we will follow
Christ.
At
the Altar:
Representative
N, receive this stole.
Be among us as our priest.
People
Amen.
Representative
N, receive this Prayer
Book. Be among us as a person of prayer.
People
Amen.
Representative
N, receive this holy
oil. Be among us as a healer and reconciler.
People
Amen.
Archdeacon
Jesus said: Love one
another as I have loved you. (John 13:34)
Will you be a channel of God's love to others?
VicarElect
With God's help, I
will.
The
stole, Prayer Book, and holy oil are placed on the
altar.
I ask you, as fellow servants of Christ, will you join me
in caring for our neighbours and our community so that
through our love new life may come to others?
People
By God's grace we will share Christ's love with
others.
Representative
N, receive this bread
and wine, this chalice and paten. Be among us to preside at
the Eucharist which we all celebrate together.
People
Amen.
Archdeacon
Jesus said: I am the
bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and
whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)
Will you faithfully celebrate the Eucharist with God's
family in this parish?
VicarElect
Yes, I will.
The
bread and wine, chalice and paten are placed on the
altar.
I ask you, the people of God, will you share with me in
this family meal of the Church?
People
By God's grace we will join with you in the worship of God,
the Creator, Redeemer, and Giver of
life.
With
the People:
Representative
N, receive the Minute
Book of the Vestry. Be among us to share in the
administration of this parish.
People
Amen.
Representative
N, we come
representing the licensed lay ministers, organists and
other leaders within the parish. We offer you our
friendship and support as we join together in this work to
which God has called us. Be among us as one who enables the
whole mission of the Church.
People
Amen.
Representative
N, we come
representing the congregations of this parish. Care for the
people entrusted to you.
People
Amen.
Archdeacon
The Apostle Peter
said: Tend the flock of God that is in your charge, not
under compulsion, but willingly, not as domineering over
those in your charge, but being an example to the flock. (1
Peter 5:2,3)
Will you encourage others to share in the stewardship of
money and the faithful management of parish affairs? Will
you oversee and encourage the ministries within the parish,
and will you exercise pastoral care of the family of God in
the congregations of this parish?
VicarElect
With God's help, I
will.
I ask you, as fellow members of Christ, will you give of
your time, talents and money in support of this parish and
love and forgive each other as Christ loves and forgives
us?
People
By God's grace we will.
The
Institution of the Vicar
The
VicarElect kneels. The licence is read and handed to
her/him by the Bishop.
Bishop
Receive this licence.
Accept this charge which is both yours and mine; in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Be a true minister of God's holy word and sacraments, and a
faithful pastor under the great Shepherd of Souls; and the
blessing of God, our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life,
be upon you now and evermore.
Amen.
The
VicarElect stands. The Churchwardens greet
her/him.
Wardens
By the authority of
the Bishop and on behalf of the people of this parish, we
receive and acknowledge you, N, as our Vicar.
We give you the keys of the Church. May God bless your
ministry among us.
The
Vicar, accompanied by the Wardens, may now ring the Church
Bell to indicate the beginning of the new Vicar's ministry
in the local community.
At
the Chair:
The
Vicar is placed in the presider's chair by the
Bishop.
The
Presentation of N and N (the
Vicar's family)
Vicar
I come with N and N.
We are a partnership in ministry and a family.
Family
representative We are glad to have been called to
this place. We look forward to sharing in the life of this
parish.
People
We welcome you all. We will support you, pray for you, and
be sensitive to your family life.
The
Prayers
Representatives of the parish
kneel with N.
Bishop
Let us pray for the
work of Christ's Church in this place and for N, your new
Vicar, and for N and N (the Vicar's
family).
All
pray in silence.
God of love
Grant our prayer.
All
pray together.
God
of grace, hear our prayers for N,
whom you have called to leadership in this parish.
Strengthen her/him with love for your people.
As a faithful priest and true servant of Jesus,
may s/he proclaim your word, minister your sacraments,
and shepherd your flock, to the glory of your name.
Grant us your grace to share
in this ministry of love, fellowship, and service;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Vicar
Eternal God, I commit
myself to your service. Strengthen me to follow your will.
Keep me faithful in proclaiming your living word and in
administering your holy sacraments; equip me with the gifts
I shall need for my ministry with your people in this
parish.
All
O God,
Take our hands and work through them;
Take our lips and speak through them;
Take our minds and think through them;
Take our hearts and set them on fire with love for
you.
If
this service is a Eucharist it continues at the Ministry of
the Sacrament. Otherwise the service concludes with the
Lord's Prayer, blessing, and the Dismissal of the
Community.
At a suitable point the Archdeacon, Churchwardens, Parish
Staff, and representatives of Parish Organisations welcome
the Vicar and family members. Ministers of other Churches,
and any other Community Leaders may give greetings. The
congregation may clap their hands at appropriate
times.
