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COMMISSIONING OF A RURAL DEAN
All Stand
Bishop
Brothers and Sisters in Christ of the Deanery of .
Following upon the Completion of the Reverend ..s term as Rural Dean, I have appointed the Reverend ..
To succeed him/her in that office. It is now my purpose to commission him/her in your presence, and to ask you to pray for her/him, that he/she may discharge his/her office faithfully and with joy in the Lord.
Silence is then kept for a while.
The new Rural Dean comes before the Bishop, accompanied by the Archdeacon or his Deputy.
Archdeacon
Reverend Father in God, I present to you to be commissioned as Rural Dean of the Deanery of
Bishop Will you undertake to encourage and support the clergy and congregations of this deanery?
Rural Dean I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop Will you work with the Archdeacon and Bishop in the oversight of these parishes?
Rural Dean I will do so, the Lord being my helper
Bishop Will you foster and promote the mission of Christ here?
Rural Dean I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
(The Rural Dean kneels)
Bishop God our Father, Lord of all the world,
We thank you that through your Son you have called us into the fellowship of your universal church: hear our prayer for your faithful people that each in their vocation and ministry may be an instrument of your love, and give to your servant . .. now to be commissioned as Rural Dean of the needful gifts of grace: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns ever one God world without end. Amen.
The Bishop hands to the Rural Dean his/her Letter of Commission
Receive this Commission, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good, that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
