Joy was the keyword at the service at St Andrew’s, Aysgarth, on July 8, when the Rev Lynn Purvis-Lee was inducted as the vicar of Penhill Benefice, in mid Wensleydale. Left: Bishop James with the Rev Lynn Purvis-Lee.
After he had blessed her the Rt Rev James Bell, Bishop of Knaresborough, stated: “It is with joy – with joy – that I present to you your new vicar.”
All the congregations in the benefice were represented as well as those from the churches* Lynn had worshipped and ministered at before including the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust where she was chaplain for 12 years.
When Bishop James asked those who knew her to list the qualities which described her they said patience, sincerity, compassion, loyalty, enthusiasm and fun.
That fun could be seen in her response to the gift presented to her by Sally Stone on behalf of West Burton CofE School. She laughed with delight and said: “Oh a chocolate cake – with buttons on.” The other gifts from the benefice included a candle, fresh local produce, free-range eggs, and a picture of a local scene.
Bishop James had everyone in the large congregation laughing when a mobile phone rang and he joked: “A fanfare for my sermon.”
In his sermon he said that a rural ministry didn’t just involve maintaining historical buildings for their communities, contributing to the common good, giving practical help and pastoral care but also to manifest the character of Christ through their lives. This was through compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience as well a practising forgiveness and forbearance.
He thanked the clergy, laity and readers who had served the benefice faithfully during the interregnum after the Rev Canon Sue Whitehouse retired last September.
Lynn’s youngest grandchild, Olivia, was keen to participate in that joy and was very happy that her grandmother carried her in the procession alongside the Bishop at the end of the service. And afterwards Olivia took over the Bishop’s chair for the family photograph. Below – Olivia proudly holding Lynn’s hand surrounded by, on the left, Alan, and (left to right) Lynn’s son Gregg Clark, Alan’s sister June Pennick, his daughter Joanne Stephenson, and mother-in-law Mary Nellist.
Below: Lynn with her parents, Norma and John Osborne (on the right) and friend Edna Wilson.
Lynn and Alan were married, with the blessing of the Prioress, at St Hilda’s Priory chapel in Whitby almost two years ago. Both are Friends of the Order of the Holy Paraclete which is based there. They met when she attended a seminar at which he was advising clergy and church members about pensions and investments. Between them they have four grandchildren aged between 22 and five.
In the weeks before the induction service Lynn and Alan were busy moving home from Crook in Weardale, Co Durham, to the newly refurbished vicarage in Carperby. “Alan and I have decorated, furnished, and carpeted the vicarage, and made it our new home, and we are grateful to all who have played a part in the preparation of the Vicarage,” she wrote in the latest Penhill Newsletter.
“I was born and bred in Consett and have always lived and worked and ministered in Co. Durham. My previous jobs before ordination included being a sewing machinist in a factory for Marks and Spencer; a waitress in a coffee shop and restaurant; a healthcare assistant; and an assistant physiotherapist.
“I was educated to degree level when I was 37-years-old at Cranmer Hall Theological College, Durham, and served my curacy in the Parish of Great Aycliffe before becoming full time chaplain.”
She added that she wanted the induction service to be full of joy and that “joy will be the foundation on which we begin our new journey together – filled with the Joy and Love of our faithful God.”
After the service there was an excellent bring and share supper thanks to members of the benefice congregations – and time to enjoy the floral decorations created to welcome the Tour de France Grand Depart.
Many who came to Wensleydale for Le Tour visited St Andrew’s to see the flower festival and afterwards Liz Piper, who organised the event, thanked all those who had helped with the displays, made biscuits and tray bakes, and been there to welcome visitors. For photographs of that flower festival see Pip’s Gallery.
Below: Lynn with Sister Helen (left) and Sister Janet Elizabeth who represented the Order of the Holy Paraclete.
* St Catherine’s at Crook, St Mary and St Cuthbert’s at Chester-le-Street, and Great Aycliffe Parish especially St Elizabeth’s where Lynn served as a curate. There were also her colleagues and friends from Durham Diocese and especially the Stockton Deanery. Sisters Janet Elizabeth and Helen from St Oswald’s Pastoral Centre in Sleights near Whitby represented the Order of the Holy Paraclete which Lynn has described as being a spiritual home to her and Alan.