Induction and Installation of the Rev’d Jan Durrans, Vicar Following a formal ceremony in December 2018 when Rev’d Jan and her two churchwardens attended the chapel in the Bishop’s Palace where the Rev’d Jan became our Vicar, Archdeacon Jo visited St. Peter’s Church on 17th March 2019 for a service of Induction and Installation. A working party had given the interior of the church a special spring clean in preparation for the occasion and the brass work and the polished pews gleamed in the bright sunshine streaming through the windows.
Archdeacon Jo presided and preached at this service,, mentioning that St. Peter’s had shown itself to be a thriving church, able to pay its way, and as a result the suspension of the Living imposed in 2015 had been lifted, which gave more security to this Parish, enabling us to have our own Vicar, rather than a Priest in Charge. After Holy Communion the choir sang Rev’d Jan’s favourite anthem “Thou visitest the Earth” and then it was time for the churchwardens to come to the chancel with their staves to present Rev’d Jan, the Vicardesignate, to the Archdeacon .
The Archdeacon gave Rev’d Jan a set of church keys, remarking that they were probably familiar to her by now, after which the procession of the churchwardens leading the Rev’d Jan and the Archdeacon went to the belfry where Rev’d Jan rang the bell several more times than she had previously planned because the bell seemed to take over and gave a few extra dongs at the end. (the vicar usually rings the bell for the number of years they intend to stay in post and she later remarked that as a result she might have to stay until she was eighty)
The Archdeacon then led Jan to her stall, saying I place you in this stall as Vicar of this Benefice. The Lord preserve your going out and your coming in. Pray for your people, lead them in worship and service and encourage them in their witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After the final hymn we all went to the church hall to celebrate Rev’d Jan’s special day and enjoy a glass of Prosecco and small simnel cakes baked by Sylvia. Jane Green had baked a delicious sponge sandwich cake had been iced and decorated by Mary Saffery and we all enjoyed a slice before going home after yet another memorable day at St. Peter’s.





