A new deacon ordained on St Lucy's Day


The home of our Chuch of England congregation in Bergen Norway is the 12 century Mariakirken (St Mary's Church). It is not only the oldest Church but the oldest building in the city, dating from some time between 1130 and 1170.  

This ancient Church was the venue for the ordination of the newest deacon in our diocese, the Revd Kirk Weisz. On St Lucy's Day, (Friday 13 December), the congregation gathered to celebrate this joyful step in Kirk's journey towards priesthood. 
Archdeacon Leslie presents the ordinand
Kirk has for many years been a minister of the Presbyterian Church, USA. His discernment to embrace Anglican orders, supported by our Director of Ordinands and the Candidate's Panel of the Church of England's Ministry Division, is in direct continuity with his flourishing pastoral ministry, as was pointed out by the preacher at the service, the Revd Jules Cave-Berquist. Mother Jules emphasised that God does not set aside what is good and fruitful, but builds on it. 
Reader Iris reads one of the lessons
Archdeacon Leslie Nathaniel, the relatively new Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe presented the ordinand. Registrar Aiden Hargreaves-Smith certified to all the legalities being fulfilled. Reader Iris Bjørnø read one of the lessons. I was assisted by the Senior Chaplain of Norway, the Revd Darren McCallig (Bergen is one of the 4 principal congregations within the Anglican Chaplaincy in Norway). Deacon Frances Hiller was deacon of the mass. 
The ordinand prostrates (an ancient biblical sign of humility) as the Veni Creator and Litany are sung
Saint Lucy's Day, or Santa Lucia, is a great feast in much of Scandinavia, including Norway. It is celebrated as a festival of light (Lucy comes from the Latin lux, light) in the dark of the Nordic winter, as the feast day of this 4th century martyr was the winter solstice before the Gregorian calendar reforms. It is a fitting day for a deacon's ordination, as a deacon is charged with bringing the light of the Gospel to God's people and to the world. 

We welcome Kirk into the clergy of this diocese, and thank God for the many gifts he brings in his ministry. 
Deacon Kirk Weisz, 4th from left)

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