The new Rector of Beaulieu, the Rev Catherine Cowie, conducted the first services of her incumbency on Sunday September 29th, just four days after she had been handed the keys of the ancient Abbey Church when she was instituted by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen.
Her first services were at Buckler’s Hard and at the Abbey Church.
During the packed service to mark her appointment, - a service which has changed little in many generations - she was introduced to the Bishop by the patron, Lord Montagu, who told him: “After prayerful consideration and due consultation, Catherine Anne Cowie has been nominated and accepted to be Rector of this Benefice.”
After the Bishop had handed the new Rector the deed of institution, the Archdeacon of Bournemouth, the Ven Jean Burgess, placed Catherine’s hand on the Abbey church door handle and she was presented by their respective wardens with the keys of the three churches for which she has responsibility.
As well as the Abbey Church, she also takes under her wing the churches at Exbury and East Boldre, and the chapel at Buckler’s Hard, all of which form part of the current wider Beaulieu benefice. It is intended that all the churches will ultimately form a single parish of Beaulieu.
The congregation at her institution included parishioners from all three churches, local dignitaries and a large contingent who had travelled from her previous multi-parish Benefice in the north Cotswolds.
The Rev Catherine will move into the Rectory with her husband and two young children, when current remedial work is completed..
History has been made as the Rev Catherine becomes the first female rector in the church’s 495-year history.
:: After her first services the Rector, Catherine, was presented by verger Derek Hewitt with a framed drawing of the original Exbury church – dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria. When the church was replaced in the 19th century the name changed to St Katharine. She told the congregation it would be the first item to be hung when the family moved into the Rectory.
Pictures courtesy of Linda Dunham, Beaulieu Camera Group.
On Sunday last 22/9/2024 at the interregnum end and in a full chapel at the 8am H.C. service we said goodbye to the Rev Alan & Wendy Graham.
They fully engaged every Sunday with the congregation with Alan preaching some memorable and amusing sermons.Some of his catch phrases and intonations will continue to dwell amongst us!
Their kindness and pastoral care to all was recognised on Sunday by the presentation of a meaningful gift voucher and also a rare plant, peculiar to Buckler's Hard, The Herb Of Grace.
FN.
From The Rev Alan Graham. “I want to thank all who contributed to such a generous gift on the occasions of my last Sunday leading worship at Bucklers Hard Chapel. It has been privilege and a pleasure to have been able to join the 8.00am congregation there on most Sundays during the interregnum. You are so blessed to have such a delightful chapel in your benefice and I am sure that Catherine will enjoy leading worship in the years to come. Wendy and I will be praying for the Lord’s blessing on her ministry amongst you.” 24/09/2024
The Gospel speaks of welcome for all. Being faithful to this compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.
For information, guidance & resources, please visit www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding. Further information is displayed on the notice boards in the Church porch.
