On Tuesday January 12, Anglicans from Rye and district plus Methodists and Baptists joined the people of Camber for the Licensing of the Revd Ruth Gostelow as Team Vicar of Camber with East Guldeford in the Rye Team Ministry. The service was conducted by The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, Bishop of Lewes, assisted by the Venerable Phillip Jones, Archdeacon of Hastings.
Ruth is a retired priest, who with her husband Alan, moved to Rye in 2013 and both of them (Alan is a licensed Reader) have taken an active part in the ministry of the local churches. Born in Scotland, Ruth trained as a nurse and worked in several locations abroad as well as in this country. Alan‘s license was re-issued at the service and they made their Declarations and Oaths together.
The Bishop, addressing the congregation, pointed out that the role of a parish priest was to challenge the congregation, possibly in new ways, but with the purpose of furthering the Gospel, even if sometimes what was needed most was a “kick up the bum.” This would probably not be necessary in Camber, though, and he thanked the many people who have supported and sustained the church during the long interregnum of four years.
Ruth expressed her gratitude to all who had helped plan and prepare for the occasion, including the splendid refreshments that followed the service. Appearing at the supper in a splendid kilt, she also issued an invitation for parishioners to join her and Alan at the Vicarage on January 25 to celebrate Burns Night.
Photo: Sandra Lanigan