Mr. Charles House was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Robert Mercer CR (Anglican
Catholic Church of Canada) at St. Agatha's Church, Portsmouth in January.
The
new Deacon was presented for ordination by Fr. Robert Aird, Vicar General
of The Traditional Anglican Church who also preached the sermon. The local
branch of Forward in Faith was represented by their Chairman, Fr. Ian Rutherford
and his curate, Fr. Eddie Manns. Britain's traditionalist "Flying
Bishops", the Rt Revd Edwin Barnes, Bishop of Richborough, the Rt.
Revd Michael Houghton, Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Rt. Revd David Thomas,
Provincial Assistant Bishop, Church of Wales and the Rt Revd Christopher
Luxmoore, former Bishop of Bermuda sent their greetings.
David's
mother came from Africa and joined his brother and sisters for the ceremony.
Another Rhodesian, the Governor of H.M. Prison, Kingston, where Charles
works in prison chaplaincy also attended. To the delight of his dad, 6
year old son Jamie was boat-boy and behaved beautifully during the two-hour
ceremony.
Deacon
Charles was born in the United Kingdom and moved to Central Africa with
his parents at an early age. He received his theological training for the
ministry in Wales He will assist Fr. John Maunder at St. Agatha's Portsmouth
as well as continue chaplaincy work at the prison. Plans are being made
to extend the work of the Continuum in the north Hampshire, Surrey and
Sussex borders with special emphasis on outreach to unchurched young people.
(1) Bishop Robert Mercer CR and Fr. John Maunder present the newly ordained Deacon, the Reverend Charles House to St. Agatha's congregation after the ceremony.
(2) Deacon Charles House with his wife Susan and six year old son Jamie and other members of the House family and special guest Bishop Robert Mercer at a special African style dinner party to celebrate the ordination.