On Sunday 6 December the Rev'd Lisa Barlow was ordained at St John's Roslyn to Holy Orders as a Deacon.

Video slide show of service highlights

It was a wonderful occasion where a capacity congregation witnessed Lisa and her whanau,  which included significant people in her journey so far from the Diocese of Wellington and other parts of Aotearoa, being piped into the church by Dr Phil White playing Amazing Grace. Lisa's immediate family took part in the service, including the Rev'd Andrew Barlow, daughter Tessa and son Dominic, with Lisa's stole being placed on her by Tessa. After the service a pot-luck dinner was enjoyed by a large number of people present. 

The Rev'd Dr Anne Van Gend (deputy Vicar General) spoke at the ordination and said:

Think of being deaconed as “nailing your colours to the mast”. Or, as Luther probably didn’t say, “Here I stand. I can do no other.” There are countless ways of being part of Christ’s body, but today you, Lisa, are nailing your colours to the Anglican mast. The ship, we hope, will continue to sail into uncharted waters, bravely plunging through every wave that hits us. Or it may sink. Either way, you’re committed!

Or think of it as being a standard-bearer. One role of a standard-bearer is to stay close to the king or commander so that others know where to find him. If that’s the only idea you take away today, that would be enough. But another role of the standard bearer is to lead the troops into the fray – to show the way, to face the dangers first, to rouse the troops if they’re lagging behind.

And where are we leading them? To God, we hope, yes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if visions like Isaiah’s could be experienced by everyone! But the path to God – our mission – is laid out pretty clearly by Jesus and it’s not, at first, so spectacular. Preach good news to the poor. Set captives free. Help the blind to see. Release the oppressed. Proclaim the year of God’s favour. I sometimes wonder why we spend hours of meeting time on mission statements when Jesus gave us his so clearly. Presumably, as his body on earth, his mission should be ours, and here it is: the role you, as a deacon, are to lead us in. 

(Attached below is a full copy of Anne's sermon)

Continue to pray for Lisa and her whanau as this exciting journey continues....