This month, the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney celebrated the appointment of a new Priest of St Magnus Scottish Episcopal Church, Lerwick. Taking place on Wednesday 17th September, the special service saw Rev Helen Randall ordained by the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, Rt Rev Anne Dyer.
This announcement follows Helen’s ordination as a Deacon last year after she completed three years of training at the Scottish Episcopal Institute. Before moving to Shetland in 2018, Helen worked as a class teacher, mentor and manager within the English primary education system.
Commenting on her recent appointment, Helen said: “I never imagined that I’d be called to continue my journey of ministry as an ordained minister at my age, but I’m happy to respond to what I believe to be a call of God. I’m so grateful for the love and support I’ve received from family and friends here in Shetland during this journey towards ordination. As a Priest I can now begin to give something back as I minister to the church and the wider community.”
Vestry Secretary Marilyn Pope added: “It was a very special occasion for our congregation and the wider community in Shetland. It is such a pleasure to see one of our own folk ordained as a Priest.”
Since her ordination, Helen has celebrated her first service of Holy Communion on the beach at the Sands of Sound, an event she called ‘Shoormal Kirk’, using the Shetlandic word for the high tide line on the beach.
Helen will serve as an Assistant Curate at both St Magnus, Lerwick and St Colman, Burravoe on the island of Yell.