13^th January 2019

A Short Report

We were up early (though not necessarily bright and..!) to meet in the car park at Irton Garden Centre – people from all 3 parishes, Ayton, Seamer and Cayton, came to board a coach at 7.30am to go to York. A few people also travelled to York under their own steam. We were all going to witness Judith’s ordination as Deacon (along with 16 others from across the North Yorkshire region) to be presided over by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, in a packed York Minster at 10am. The coach dropped us off with plenty of time to get a good seat near the front in the Minster and the service included a celebration of Holy Communion, hymn singing and the lovely voices of the choir – which reverberated around the magnificent architecture of the minster. It was helpful to be able to follow every part of the service in the booklet provided and also great that the clear sound system they have there enabled the congregation furthest away from the front to hear clearly every word spoken by the Archbishop and all the other clergy who contributed to the service. Judith was presented, with her fellow ordinands, three times to perform various declarations and to receive the New Testament and a Bowl and Towel – symbols of the deacon’s office. I thought it was a nice touch that the newly ordained deacons were able to circulate and receive congratulations from friends, family and fellow parishioners at one point in the service. Judith wore her sash with pride, and I hope she had a photograph taken so that she can look back on this memorable day. Inevitably it was rather a long service – just over 2 hours. So we were glad to leave the minster to find some sunshine and to seek out some refreshment after sitting inside for that long! Everyone went their own way until we all met back at the Memorial Gardens at 2pm for the coach return to Irton Garden Centre. Thanks to Richard Firth for organising the coach and to the driver for delivering us safely there and back. And big congratulations to Judith for passing through all those ‘hoops’ of study and appraisals to becoming the Reverend Judith Dean – Deacon of the parishes of Ayton, Seamer and Cayton.

Geraldine O’Brien Mead

Judith’s Account of Her Ordination

The ordination weekend started on Thursday, when we went to the Minster for a rehearsal of the service. We were photographed by many tourists as we processed around the minster learning where to go and when.

Then we went to Bishopthorpe Palace where we took certain oaths, explored the palace admiring the pictures of previous archbishops and looked at the size of their big puffy sleeves, then there was evening prayer led by the archbishop. This was followed by tea with him in the great hall, pan fried chicken breast, warm potato charlotte, veg and home made after eight cheesecake.

After talking with the archbishop we made our way to Wydale with me leading a convoy of cars. At Wydale we went into a silent retreat—talking was only allowed at two of the meal times. We studied part of Ephesians chapter 4. A silent retreat is hard to do as we all had so much to say, so we kept going outside into the gardens for a quick chat, then felt guilty when we came back in. The archbishop came on Saturday and led the communion service, following by more papers to be signed.

It was an early start on Sunday for us all. After a cooked breakfast we set off for York Minster, where it was wonderful and yet humbling to see so many family and friends arrive.

Eventually we robed and were lined up for the procession, we were all trying to remember who we were walking with and where to walk, sit or kneel. The procession wound its way through the minster to our places. The service was awe-inspiring, ceremony at its best. When the call came of my name and churches I turned to face the congregation and had never seen the Minster so full.

But the time of kneeling in front of the archbishop in the presence of God was a humbling yet indescribable time. After that I received my white stole and was later presented with a New Testament and a bowl and towel as symbols of the office of Deacon being one of serving others. As instructed I handed all this to my brother to look after for the rest of the service. We then processed outside the west doors with the archbishop, much to the surprise of some Japanese tourists who got some very special photos to take home.

After the service I returned home and got my dog Sky from the kennels, he was delighted to see me. We went for a long walk, just my dog and me with Jesus in my heart.

Judith