9 Nov 2022, 15:24Don Roberts
SEC holds commissioning service for Pastor Dee Edwards
On Sabbath, 5 November 2022, the South England Conference (SEC), commissioned Pastor Doreen (Dee) Edwards as a minister of the gospel, during a service held at Stanborough Park Church. Edwards who currently serves as pastor of the Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City Community churches becomes the 9th woman to receive a commissioned minister credential from the Conference.
SEC President, Pastor Emmanuel Osei, expressed his delight at the commissioning of Edwards, who he described as a "godly woman." Continuing he said, "I have watched your journey. It hasn't been an easy one, but I have watched and seen the way the Lord has led you throughout."
Edwards was accompanied to the front by her mentors, Pastors Bernie Holdford and Nathan Stickland under whom she had served as an intern pastor. Recounting the early days of her ministry, Holdford reflected that Edwards had a "heart of compassion for people – even the people who weren't particularly enthusiastic about her".
Guest speaker, Trans-European (TED) Stewardship Ministries Director, Pastor Maureen Rock, beagn her homily by sharing recollections of her early interactions with Edwards. She recalled her joy in learning she would have "another sister in ministry" after Edwards approched her to complete her ministerial placement. Rock then spoke on the unique challenges of being a woman in ministry, though asserted that "there is no confrontation, situation, or experience in ministry "Jesus had not faced himself." She concluded, "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race that we are in."
The prayer of commissioning was said by British Union Conference (BUC) Executive Secretary, John Surridge, during which the ordained ministers who were present surrounded Edwards for the laying on of hands.
Responding to the charge, read by BUC President Egland Brooks, and being presented with her commissioning certificate, Edwards acknowledged her, family, friends, church members and ministerial colleagues who supported her during her "ministerial journey", which she described as "unexpected". A beaming Edwards laughed, "I never dreamed that the Lord would call me to pastoral ministry."
While sharing several pivotal moments in her pastoral ministry she addressed her fellow female ministerial colleagues, including SEC commissioned pastors Maslin Holness, Rosemary Lethbridge, and Sophia Peart, who had participated in the service. "I just want to say thank you to all those female pastors that have gone ahead of me. Who opened a way, who set a standard for us to follow, who blessed and continues to bless us as a church."
Attendees participating or ackowledged during the service included, Douglas McCormac (SEC Executive Secretary), Hezron Otieno Adingo (SEC Ministerial Secretary), Sam Oudjo (BUC Ministerial Secretary), and Karen Holdford (TED Family Ministries Director).
Concluding her response Edwards stated, "My prayer is that just as Paul said, 'follow me as I follow Christ', I'm also able to say the same thing to my church family that I've been given the privilege to serve and minister to."
On Sabbath, 5 November 2022, the South England Conference (SEC), commissioned Pastor Doreen (Dee) Edwards as a minister of the gospel, during a service held at Stanborough Park Church. Edwards who currently serves as pastor of the Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City Community churches becomes the 9th woman to receive a commissioned minister credential from the Conference.
SEC President, Pastor Emmanuel Osei, expressed his delight at the commissioning of Edwards, who he described as a "godly woman." Continuing he said, "I have watched your journey. It hasn't been an easy one, but I have watched and seen the way the Lord has led you throughout."
Edwards was accompanied to the front by her mentors, Pastors Bernie Holdford and Nathan Stickland under whom she had served as an intern pastor. Recounting the early days of her ministry, Holdford reflected that Edwards had a "heart of compassion for people – even the people who weren't particularly enthusiastic about her".
Guest speaker, Trans-European (TED) Stewardship Ministries Director, Pastor Maureen Rock, beagn her homily by sharing recollections of her early interactions with Edwards. She recalled her joy in learning she would have "another sister in ministry" after Edwards approched her to complete her ministerial placement. Rock then spoke on the unique challenges of being a woman in ministry, though asserted that "there is no confrontation, situation, or experience in ministry "Jesus had not faced himself." She concluded, "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race that we are in."
The prayer of commissioning was said by British Union Conference (BUC) Executive Secretary, John Surridge, during which the ordained ministers who were present surrounded Edwards for the laying on of hands.
Responding to the charge, read by BUC President Egland Brooks, and being presented with her commissioning certificate, Edwards acknowledged her, family, friends, church members and ministerial colleagues who supported her during her "ministerial journey", which she described as "unexpected". A beaming Edwards laughed, "I never dreamed that the Lord would call me to pastoral ministry."
While sharing several pivotal moments in her pastoral ministry she addressed her fellow female ministerial colleagues, including SEC commissioned pastors Maslin Holness, Rosemary Lethbridge, and Sophia Peart, who had participated in the service. "I just want to say thank you to all those female pastors that have gone ahead of me. Who opened a way, who set a standard for us to follow, who blessed and continues to bless us as a church."
Attendees participating or ackowledged during the service included, Douglas McCormac (SEC Executive Secretary), Hezron Otieno Adingo (SEC Ministerial Secretary), Sam Oudjo (BUC Ministerial Secretary), and Karen Holdford (TED Family Ministries Director).
Concluding her response Edwards stated, "My prayer is that just as Paul said, 'follow me as I follow Christ', I'm also able to say the same thing to my church family that I've been given the privilege to serve and minister to."
