With 29th September being the feast of St Michael & All Angels, it was a particularly appropriate occasion for St Gabriel’s to host a big celebration as Mark Montgomery was commissioned to start work as Missioner to Kings Hill and the lead Minister at St Gabriel’s, and as Associate Priest in the Benefices of West Malling with Offham, and Mereworth with West Peckham.
Bishop James Langstaff, the Bishop of Rochester, led the service wearing his angel emblazoned cloak. The service opened with Matt Redman’s wonderful hymn Ten thousand reasons and continued with a special song for the children, Lord, I lift your name on high.
Matthew Buchan, our Rural Dean, presented Mark to Bishop James and Clive Mansell, our Archdeacon, confirmed that Mark had taken his oaths of allegiance to the Queen and of obedience to the Bishop.
In his sermon, Bishop James focussed on Mark’s new role and the part that the whole church of St Gabriel’s have to play in helping him fulfil that role. Noting the feast day and the ministry of Angels, Bishop James noted that Angels appear in the Bible as messengers and often with a task to care and protect the weak or vulnerable.
Bishop James described Mark as an ‘Angel’ in the way that he now needs to lead our community in taking the message of the good news of God’s love to our local area and challenged St Gabriel’s to join with Mark in that key task.
After Mark had been commissioned, various community representatives came forward to greet Mark including the Girls Brigade, Clergy colleagues from across the Deanery, Kings Hill Christian Fellowship, the Scouts and Kings Hill Parish Council.
Mark’s first service will be this Sunday at St Gabriel’s. We start at 9.30 a.m. and meet, as usual, at the Discovery School.