Licensing of Revd Adebowale (Debo) Adelaja

Tue 24th May 2022
19:00 pm

New Beginnings

The licensing of

Revd Adebowale Adelaja

as Associate Priest

The service is led by

The Right Reverend Saju Muthalaly

Bishop of Loughborough

A warm welcome to the parish church of All Saints with Holy Trinity for this significant service in the life of our church as we welcome Revd Debo and his wife Sade to our church family and reaffirm our commitment to shared ministry.

This new appointment has been made possible through funding from the national Church of England and is part of the work in the Diocese of Leicester seeking to improve the representation and participation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Christians within the Church by amongst others things creating Intercultural Worshipping Communities. (IWCs) The novelty of the intercultural church lies in the belief that Christian unity can be achieved by celebrating ethnic diversity and promoting cross cultural fellowship.

As a church already committed to inclusion of every kind and serving a culturally diverse parish in a University town with a large international student body, we felt called and convicted to embrace the challenge of developing as an IWC. Since embarking on this journey in 2019 we have engaged in a number of different things:

- Held a Global Carol service with over 20 different languages representing the global diaspora of our town

- Hosted social events drawing together people from different cultures to share their Christmas traditions

- Run book groups to engage with issues of racism in the church and society

- Our Church Council (PCC) engaged in anti-racism training

- In 2021 we kept Racial Justice Sunday leading into a Lent series of the same theme using ‘Ghost Ship’ as a framework for our sermons, small groups and reflections.

- Begun to look at our liturgy and music in seeing how it can better reflect the diversity of our worshipping community

- Continued to work with and build links with the Asian community of our parish by supporting and helping to host the Mela in 2021

- Our preaching team seeks to listen to global majority voices as part of their preparation.

We recognise that we are on a journey and are learning together what it means to embody this vision of a truly intercultural worshipping community. We are really looking forward to the wisdom and perspectives that Revd Debo will bring to us and pray that together we can be a community of faith where each person is truly valued for who they are.

Debo will be working alongside our Rector sharing in the oversight and work of the ministry of All Saints and in particular will be focussing on mission to the large global diaspora communities connected to the University and College.

There will be a retiring collection this evening in aid of the bursary fund for the Community of the Tree of Life allowing young people to spend a year living in the community learning about faith and service of the world - more information at https://leicestertreeoflife.org

Before the service begins there is an informal welcome from Revd. Wendy Dalrymple, Rector of All Saints.

The Gathering

The choir sing the introit The Lord bless you and keep you by John Rutter

Processional hymn 494

I the Lord of sea and sky

All stand to sing the first hymn as the music begins.

The Greeting

The Bishop greets the people

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

and also with you.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

There are varieties of gifts,

but the same Spirit.

There are varieties of service,

but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working,

but the same God is at work in all.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Congregation sits as the Bishop offers further informal words of welcome

The Collect

The Bishop introduces a period of silent prayer and then says the Collect.

Almighty and everlasting God,

by whose spirit the whole body of the Church

is governed and sanctified:

hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,

that in their vocation and ministry

they may serve you in holiness and truth

to the glory of your name;

through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Presentation

The new Minister is presented to the Bishop and congregation

Bishop Saju. we present to you Adebowale Adelaja to be licensed to the pastoral care of souls in this parish.

The Bishop addresses the congregation:

Will all of you who are gathered here support and encourage Adebowale in this new ministry, now and in the years to come?

We will.

Will you pray for him even as he prayers for you?

We will

Will you care for Adebowale , helping him to find rest and joy in his ministry?

We will

And as your bishop, I too commit to pray for you and to care for you so that you, and all the people of God in this place, may flourish and grow in the love of God.

Ministry of the Word

Acts 16:22-34

22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ 29 The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 31 They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ 32 They spoke the word of the Lord[b] to him and to all who were in his house. 33 At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. 34 He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

Here ends the reading

Thanks be to God.

We stand to sing with the choir Wa, wa, wa emimimo (Come, O Holy Spirit, come) Nigerian and remain standing for the gospel reading that follows

Wa wa wa Emimimo.

Wa wa wa Alagbaram

Wao, wao, wao.

Come, O Holy Spirit, come.

Come, Almighty Spirit, come.

Come, come, come.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

This is the Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you O Christ

Sermon

The Licensing

Renewal of Ordination Vows

The Bishop addresses the new Minister.

Bishop: Debo before you receive this share in our pastoral charge will you, before God and this congregation, reaffirm the promises you made when you were ordained and accepted the Priesthood out of love for the Lord Jesus and his Church?

Priest: I will

Bishop: At your ordination to the priesthood, you took authority to watch over and care for God’s people, to absolve and bless them in his name, to proclaim the gospel of salvation, and to minister the sacraments of his New Covenant. Will you continue as a faithful steward of the mysteries of God, preaching the gospel of Christ and ministering his holy sacraments?

Priest: By the help of God, I will.

The Giving of the Pastoral Charge

The Bishop invites the congregation to stand whilst the new Minister makes the Declaration of Assent and takes the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Canonical Obedience.

The Bishop invites the congregation to pray in silence for the local church for the new Minister and the Ministry Team.

After a time of silent prayer, the Bishop says:

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

A member of the Ministry Team prays:

Almighty Father, give to your servant Debo grace and power to fulfil this ministry among those now committed to his charge: to watch over them and care for them; to absolve and bless them in your name, and to proclaim the gospel of salvation. Set him among your people to offer with them spiritual sacrifices acceptable in your sight and to minister the sacraments of the New Covenant. As you have called him to your service, make him worthy of your calling. Give him wisdom and discipline to work faithfully with all his fellow servants in Christ, that the world may come to know your glory and your love. Accept our prayers, most merciful Father, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Bishop invites the people to sit and the new Minister to kneel.

He then reads the legal document and delivers the document with these words

Debo receive this licence

the care of God’s people,

which is both mine and yours,

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The Bishop blesses the new Minister.

The love of the Father enfold you,

the wisdom of the Son enlighten you,

the fire of the Spirit kindle you;

and the blessing of God Almighty,

the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit

come down upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

The Commitment to Ministry in Partnership

The Bishop invites members of the licensed Ministry Team in the parish to stand with the new Minister.

Bishop: Debo as Associate Priest will you work in partnership with the other members of this Ministry Team in the parish of All Saints, exercising servant leadership and putting the needs of others before your own?

Minister: By the help of God, I will.

Bishop: Those of you who are members of this Ministry Team will you work with Debo as a colleague within this team, sharing in the leadership and oversight of this church and working together to serve this community?

Team: By the help of God, we will.

Bishop: And will you renew your commitment to work together to respond well to the “three key questions” of mission and ministry in this diocese: how are you helping others grow in the depth of their discipleship; how are you growing the numbers of Christian disciples; and how are you loving and serving these communities and the wider world?

Team & New Minister: By the help of God, we will do all in our power to grow in the depth of our discipleship, to grow the numbers of Christian disciples and to grow in love and service of this community and the wider world.

The Bishop invites all those who count themselves to be part of the church of All Saints to stand.

Bishop: People of God in this place, you are the Body of Christ, and

the body is only healthy when each part is working well with every other part. Will you share in the work of ministry and service, confident in your own gifts and unique contribution, and open to learning and receiving from others?

All: By the help of God, we will play our part in the Body of Christ, seeking always to enable the whole body to flourish. We commit to working together in partnership, seeking the forgiveness of others when we make mistakes, even as we forgive those who wrong us.

Receiving Signs of Christian Ministry as a Ministry Team

Other members of the licensed ministry team join Debo as he receives signs of the ministry in which we all share

As water for Baptism is given

Presenter: To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life in him. Receive this water and be among us in this ministry of transformation and rebirth, adding to our number those whom God is calling from every tribe, language and nation that we might grow as an Intercultural Worshipping Community

Ministry Team: We invite you all to join with us in making disciples of all nations, learning from one another as we baptise in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As Chalice and Paten are given

Presenter: We are sustained in our faith through Holy Communion gathered at the table where Christ is the host. Receive these symbols of bread and wine and be among us to welcome all people to the table of the Lord.

Ministry Team: We invite you to join regularly with us in this sacrament to receive strength for daily living, and to be people of hospitality in every area of our lives.

As the Bible is given

Presenter: Hold before us the story of God's inclusive love, the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Receive this Bible, and be among us as preachers of the Word of God and teachers of the faith, listening to the voice of God in the scriptures and in the lives of the marginalised and oppressed.

Ministry Team: We invite you all to join with us in proclaiming the Gospel of hope and new life in word and action.

As a Prayer Book is given

Presenter: Nothing is achieved in our own strength but only as God works through us. Receive this book and be among us as a person of prayer.

Ministry Team: We invite you all to join with us, and with the whole

Church, in the renewal of our common prayer, and in the strengthening of the life of the Spirit among us.

As a plant is given

Presenter: God calls us, created in his own image, to care for this wonderful world. Receive this plant as sign of our call to care for God’s creation, to speak out for climate justice and do what we can in practical ways to tread lightly upon the earth.

Ministry Team: Work with us to care for God’s beautiful and fragile creation, and stand with our global brothers and sisters already facing the impact of climate change.

As the Oil of healing is given

Presenter: We ourselves are broken and our world is broken. Receive this oil for anointing, and be among us as reconciler and healer, reaching out to those who have been hurt and abused, even by the church. Be with us as those seeking to challenge racism, homophobia and the many other prejudices that separate us one from another and prevent the flourishing of all the baptised.

Ministry Team: We invite you all to join with us in the ministry of

reconciliation and healing, so that in the power of Christ we may bring wholeness to all God's people and reach out to the world.

Bishop: Debo, let all these be signs of the ministry which is both mine and yours, and shared by all the people of God.

Ministry Team: Amen. May we find joy together in the service of Christ.

The Installation & Welcome

When the Signs of Ministry have been received, the Archdeacon leads the new minister to his stall. The Archdeacon places the Minister in his stall with these words:

Archdeacon: I place you in your designated seat. The Lord sustain you in this office to which you have been called, and daily enable you to grow as a faithful servant of his Church. Amen.

Bishop: Here is your Associate Priest, duly installed. Greet him warmly!

The congregation warmly greets the new Minister with applause. The Bishop and Archdeacon go to the sanctuary and the Rector introduces the representative welcomes that will take place during the following hymn that Debo has chosen.

Hymn 462 Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast

After the Hymn the Rector retires to the sanctuary and the minister responds to the welcomes before leading us in prayer.

Prayers of Intercession

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with the words our Saviour taught us each praying in the language that is closest to our hearts:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

The Dismissal

The Bishop gives the blessing, he may use these words in English or bless us in another language of his heart.

The Blessing

Almighty God,

who for the salvation of the world

gives to his people many gifts and ministries

to the advancement of his glory,

stir up in you the gifts of his grace

and sustain each one of you in your own ministry;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Recessional Hymn 507

We have a gospel to proclaim

During this hymn the new minister leads the Archdeacon, Rector churchwardens, Bishop and Bishop’s Chaplain to the west door.

The Dismissal Gospel

New Minister: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, O Christ.

We are raised to new life Christ.

Go in his peace. Alleluia, alleluia.

All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

An organ voluntary is played and refreshments are served.

If you are able please make a retiring gift which will be for the bursary fund of the Community of the Tree of Life allowing young people to spend a year living in the community learning about faith and service of the world - more inform