Service of Induction Of the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O Neill

Transcription

1 Service of Induction Of the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O Neill As the 37th Minister of Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel Hampstead, London Saturday 7th January p.m.

2 Service of Induction 7 th January 2012 Prelude: Irish traditional music Tanya Houghton Harp Come down, O love divine - Hilary Tadman-Robins Rosslyn Hill Chapel Choir Georgina Drewe, Dir. Processional Hymn The Golden City Sing we of the Golden City Pictured in the legends of old: Everlasting light shines o er it, Wondrous things of it are told. Only righteous men and women Dwell within its gleaming walls; Wrong is banished from its borders, Justice reigns within its halls. We are builders of that City, All our joys and all our groans Help to rear its shining ramparts; All our lives are building-stones. For that City we must labour, For its sake bear pain and grief; In it find the end of living, And the anchor of belief. And the work that we have builded, Oft with bleeding hands and tears, Oft in error, oft in anguish, Will not perish with our years It will last, and shine transfigured In the final reign of right: It will pass into the splendours Of the City of the Light. Invocation Rev. Sarah Tinker Chalice Lighting The Meaning of This Occasion Rev. Linda Hart Patricia Williams Rev. Danielle Wilson and The Search Committee 2

3 Greetings from The General Assembly Interlude Rev. Ann Peart Hosanna to the Son of David - Telemann Jubilate - Mozart Rosslyn Hill Chapel Choir Georgina Drewe, Dir. Sermon The Once and Future Church Rev. Andrew Pakula Act of Induction: John Lawrence and Tanya Morrison, Co-Chairs Chairs of the Chapel Board Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O Neill Mr. Lawrence: The coming together of congregation and minister assumes special significance when there is involved, as here, a great tradition of liberal religious leadership. It is with profound feeling, therefore, that we formally recognize the relationship now existing between the people of Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel and the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O Neill, whom we have freely chosen to become the Thirty-Seventh Minister in our 310 th year as a gathered congregation, and who has freely chosen us. Ms. Morrison: Our choice is based not only on our heritage, but also upon the hopes and aspirations we hold for the future. We affirm by this act the vision of beloved community toward which we strive and the ideals by which we are sustained and strengthened. I now ask the members of Rosslyn Hill Chapel to please rise, in body or in spirit, and join me in the following words: Members: We cherish our congregation for its rich history as a beacon of liberal religion in Hampstead and beyond. We celebrate our congregation s devotion to religious freedom, justice, and our common belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people. We cherish the memory of those who founded, nurtured, preserved, and progressively transformed this congregation. We cherish the hands and hearts of all ages whose many gifts knit us together as a community of faith that provides space for building friendships, for spiritual questing, for comfort in times of sorrow, and for celebration in times of joy. We cherish our congregation for what we may yet become through our united efforts. 3

4 Mr. Lawrence: Having thus expressed our love and hope for our congregation, we now entrust its ministry to you, Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O Neill, confident that you share our feelings in full measure, and that you will do all in your power to advance our mission. Do you accept the invitation of this congregation to its ministry? Rev. O Neill: I do accept. Ms. Morrison: We offer you a free pulpit, the cooperation of our hearts and hands, and our resolute good will as you take up your work among us. We would have you preach the truth to us in freedom and love, and without fear or favour of persons or position; to minister to us alike in our joys and in our sorrows; and to set forth, by your example no less than by your precept, the religious way of life. Rev. O Neill: It is with joy and a deep sense of responsibility that I take up the ministry to which you have called me. To the best of my ability and with your support, I will seek always to live the truth of love, and fulfill the office of Minister according to the customs of our Unitarian tradition. I will strive together with you to achieve this congregation s vision. Above all, I will cherish and cultivate the ways of Love, Freedom, Reason, and Tolerance among you and with all people of good will. Mr. Lawrence and Ms. Morrison: Then it is with great hope and pride that, by the power entrusted to us as representatives of this congregation, we now recognize you as the Minister of Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel. Symbols of Ministry Presented by The Search Committee Induction Prayer Rev. Feargus O Connor Offertory Tanya Houghton - Harp Charge to the Congregation Rev. Dr. David Usher Charge to the Minister Rev. Rob Gregson 4

5 Recessional Hymn Jerusalem And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England s mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England s pleasant pastures seen? And did the countenance divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark satanic mills? Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England s green and pleasant land. Benediction Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O Neill Postlude Irish Blessing Bob Chilcott Rosslyn Hill Chapel Choir Georgina Drewe, Dir. Partipants: Rev. Sarah Tinker, Minister of Essex Church, Kensington Rev. Danielle Wilson, Chair of the Ministerial Search Committee Rev. Linda A. Hart, Minister, Richmond and Putney Unitarian Church Rev. Andrew Pakula, Minister, New Unity, Newington Green and Islington Rev. Feargus O Connor, Minister, Golders Green Unitarians Rev. Rob Gregson, Former Interim Minister of Rosslyn Hill Chapel Rev. David Usher, District Minister, London District Provincial Assembly, former Minister of Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel Rev. Ann Peart, President of General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (Great Britain) Mr. John Lawrence, Co-Chair, Board of Managers, Rosslyn Hill Chapel Ms. Tanya Morrison, Co-Chair, Board of Managers, Rosslyn Hill Chapel Mr. Edmund Connolly, Organist of Rosslyn Hill Chapel Ms. Georgina Drewe, Choir Director of Rosslyn Hill Chapel Ms. Tanya Houghton, Harpist Ms. Patricia Williams is Rev. O Neill s spouse 5

6 Special Thanks to the Ministerial Search Committee for untold hours of work and commitment to launching Rev. O Neill s ministry so successfully! Danielle Wilson, Chair; Hillary Ratna, Jane Crispin, Margaret Perry, Erich Wagner, Kerry Reid, and Claire Julian. Thanks also to those whose supportive work has made today s event possible: All the members of the Search Committee, Sharron Conduit, Ingrid Tavkar and the cake-bakers, Leighton Cole, Patricia Williams, the Flower Committee, Ed and Georgina and the Choir for their generous participation. Thanks also to the Unitarian ministers and lay leaders from across the area for travelling to celebrate with our congregation today! And thanks also to our Interfaith friends, the representatives from Congregations Together in Hampstead who have come to be with us today! The Offertory collection at today s service will go to the Unitarian Ministerial Students Fund, which gives grants to those in training for the ministry. RHUC Management Committee Stuart Bowman, Hon. Treasurer Paul ver Bruggen Kate Buchanan James Chiriyankandath Jane Crispin John Lawrence, Co-Chair Rachel Millward Tanya Morrison, Co-Chair Hillary Ratna Janna Williams RHUC Elders Tanya Morrison, Chair Will Hopper George Appleby Shirley Malin Victoria Ellington Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel Staff Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O Neill, Minister Sharron Conduit, Chapel Administrator Edmund Connolly, Chapel Organist Georgina Drewe, Choir Director Charlotte Illingworth, Children s Chapel 6