Commissioned Music Minister for Willesden

Simon Winn, Vicar of St Joseph the Worker, Hilary and Neil Evans

09/03/10

Worshippers at St Joseph the Worker in Northolt celebrated being part of a 'first' for London Diocese when their new Lay Minister was commissioned.

At a joyful celebration of the Parish Eucharist, Hilary Knight was welcomed as the first ever commissioned music minister for the Willesden Episcopal Area.

Warden for Commissioned Ministers, Canon Ron Herbert said:

"There are over 200 'commissioned lay ministers' in the Willesden Area, covering a variety of ministries, such as pastoral assistants, preachers, youth workers, and evangelists.

"The range is expanding. Hilary is the first commissioned music minister, and the paperwork for the first commissioned prayer co-ordinator is being processed."

Hilary, who has worshipped at St Joseph's for 15 years, said:

"The desire to commit my energies to God through commissioning was something I discovered within me and it started to grow. I was revisiting what I had learnt about the universal importance of music in human experience, particularly through singing. From this emerged a vision for a lay ministry which seeks to develop the musical potential I believe is within all of us and thus bring us closer to God our Creator. It is both humbling and exciting that God has called me to this at my stage of life and I'm looking forward to realising this in the life of St Joseph's."

At the service, which featured traditional hymns and the latest worship songs as well as prayer ministry and plenty of incense, in the distinctive Modern Catholic and Charismatic style of St Joseph's, Vicar the Rev Simon Winn presided and Director of Training and Development the Rev Neil Evans preached and commissioned Hilary.

Commissioned Ministry was launched by a former Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Rev Graham Dow as a way of affirming and supporting local ministries which have a significant impact in the parish, and giving them access to a system of review, evaluation and training.

Canon Herbert said:

"I am delighted that Hilary's musical expertise and her commitment to enhancing the worship at St Joseph's has been recognised in this way - and I hope that other musicians in other churches will follow suit."