New Team Rector for Sherborne

On Thursday 16 September 2021, in Sherborne Abbey, The Reverend Martin Lee was instituted as Team Rector of the Sherborne Benefice by Karen Gorham, the Acting Bishop of Salisbury, and inducted and installed by Penny Sayer, Archdeacon of Sherborne.

Assistant Parish Secretary Joanna Sams describes the scene:

“It was a warm late summer’s evening and the procession entered by the West Doors. The singing filled the Abbey, and it was evident that the congregation was full gratitude for Martin’s arrival and looking forward to a new ministry for the town and villages of Longburton and Lillington.

“Members of the community welcomed Martin with great enthusiasm and spoke of working in partnership with him and his wife, Sue. It was a buoyant Service and those who contributed to it did so wholeheartedly and with a sense of expectation as though we are on the threshold of something new and exciting.

“Perhaps the climax of the Service was when the choir sang Hubert Parry’s I was glad. The voices soared to the fan-vaulting and echoed the sentiments that were in each person’s heart who had attended the celebration of a Martin’s new ministry.

“Not only did the Service go extremely well, the hospitality, in the Church Hall afterwards, was equally generous and well attended.

“Thursday 16 September 2021 was a milestone in the life of Sherborne Abbey and in the ministry of Martin Lee. We look forward to witnessing its outcome and would wish to thank each person who contributed to the success of the Service for their dedication which made it such a memorable evening.

“What a joyful occasion!”