Ordination Anniversary Something to Celebrate

As Advent begins and ordination services continue around the diocese, St Alban’s parish of Eastbourne had extra reasons to celebrate. 

Revs Matthew and Rebecca Packer with Canon Peter Stuart to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a priest, at a Eucharist at Wellesley College Days Bay on Sunday 26th November.

Not only did they rejoice as former resident Rev Matthew Packer and his wife Rev Rebecca Packer were ordained to the diaconate on 25 November. The following day, the new deacons, along with parish and friends, celebrated the 60th anniversary of Canon Emeritus Peter’s Stuart’s ordination to the priesthood in 1963.

Peter Stuart has served almost his entire ministry in the Diocese of Wellington, representing the Diocese at General Synod and on numerous ‘provincial’ church bodies, as well as being Canon Theologian and director of post-ordination training. Representatives of all three parishes he served in, together with the Victoria University Anglican Chaplaincy (which he founded), gathered at Wellesley College hall on Sunday 26 November for a Eucharist celebrated by Rev Monty Black. Among those present were Rev Tony Gardiner and Rev Ray Muller, likewise in the 60th year of their priestly ministry.

For eyesight reasons, Canon Peter is pulling back from celebrating and preaching at church services. He continues his priestly ministry however in less formal ways, including clergy mentoring and spiritual direction.