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Revd Kevin Jones Inducted to New Area Partnership

A special service on Saturday 1 March marked the establishment of the new South West Derbyshire Area Partnership as well as the Induction of its first minister, The Revd Kevin Jones.

L-R The Revd David Miller, Dr Graham Jennings, The Revd Andy Fyall, The Revd Geoffrey Clarke, Mrs Helen Jones, The Revd Kevin Jones, The Revd Tracey Harris, The Revd Dr Hannah Bucke, Mr David Greatorex
L-R The Revd David Miller, Dr Graham Jennings, The Revd Andy Fyall, The Revd Geoffrey Clarke, Mrs Helen Jones, The Revd Kevin Jones, The Revd Tracey Harris, The Revd Dr Hannah Bucke, Mr David Greatorex

Hosted by Ashbourne Road Methodist & United Reformed Church, the service was presided over by The Revd Geoffrey Clarke as Moderator of the East Midlands Synod and The Revd Tracey Harris as Derby Circuit Superintendent Minister. The five churches – Ashbourne Road together with Alvaston, Derby Central, Mackworth and Repton URCs – each laid a symbol of their congregation on the Communion Table in an act of commitment to the new partnership.

The Moderator presides over the churches’ act of commitment
The Moderator presides over the churches’ act of commitment  

Preaching on Isaiah 52:7-10 and John 13:12-20, Kevin’s fellow Chaplain to the Forces The Revd Dr Hannah Bucke described how Jesus’s humility in washing his disciples’ feet overturns the hierarchies of his day, and calls on us to join in God’s mission with “boots on the ground” in our own time and place.

The Revd Dr Hannah Bucke preaches
The Revd Dr Hannah Bucke preaches

Christine Fielding of Central URC and Ann Luckett of Mackworth recounted the Narrative of the Call before Kevin was presented as minister-elect by the Revd David Miller, joint Interim Moderator with the The Revd Sue Powell,and made his own statement. Synod Clerk Dr Graham Jennings and Treasurer Mr David Greatorex then led the congregation in the Statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church. Following the Induction Promises, Revd Jones was warmly welcomed by representatives of the churches and Synod and by a wide range of ecumenical guests.

Kevin and his wife Helen receive gifts from The Revd David Miller (right)
Kevin and his wife Helen receive gifts from The Revd David Miller (right)

We pray that the churches will enjoy fruitfulness and fellowship in their new partnership, and wish Kevin every blessing in his ministry here in the East Midlands.