Members of the Diocese gathered at St James, Aberdeen on Tuesday 17th December to mark the 30th Anniversary of the first ordinations of women as priests in the Scottish Episcopal Church. From Deeside and Donside, Gordon and Buchan and the City, the congregation included those Ordained and present at the Ordinations in Aberdeen at St Andrew’s on 17 December 1994.
Bishop Anne presided and preached, three of the Priests ordained 30 years ago read lessons and assisted in the distribution of Communion: Revd Canon Dr Ruth Edwards, Revd Kate Gibson, and Revd Anne James (pictured above). We gave thanks for the ministries that Ruth, Kate, and Anne have exercised and continue to exercise across the Diocese. The names of all the Ordained women serving in the Diocese were read out before the Eucharistic Prayer; ordained in Scotland, Wales, and England, who have been ordained Priest from four years ago to thirty years ago. We remembered those preparing to be for ordination to the Priesthood and those discerning vocations to Ordained ministry.
In the sermon, Bishop Anne reflected on the theological reflection, biblical study and personal discernment that had taken place leading to the Synod vote to allow women to be ordained Priests in Scotland. In the readings, sermon and litany the names of Julian of Norwich, Hildegaard of Bingen, Queen Margaret of Scotland, St Brigid, Lydia, and Priscilla were mentioned amongst other examples of women who responded to God’s call on their lives in love.
Ordination to the Priesthood, 17 December 1994, St Andrew’s Aberdeen
Front row: Revd Kate Gibson, Revd Anne James, Revd Priscilla McKenzie, Revd Joan Shepherd.
Back row (left to right): Revd Jane Burchill, Revd Margaret Eaton, Bishop Bruce Cameron, Revd Dr Ruth Edwards, Revd Dorothy Firman.
The first ordinations of women as priests took place in Scotland and England in 1994. On Saturday 17 December 1994 Ordinations took place in four locations across Scotland, including Aberdeen. Revd Di Hervey, who serves in the Shetland Islands, was one of those ordained that day in Perth. Revd Liz McNab was ordained in St Magnus, Lerwick, Shetland Islands on 14 January 1995.