In the presence of just a handful of people, but surrounded by the prayers and best wishes of the parish family, the Revd Darren McCallig was instituted as the new Rector of Esher on Monday evening (23 March).
Once the customary declarations and oaths had been made, The Right Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells, Bishop of Dorking, read the text of the Deed of Institution aloud and handed the document to Darren with the words, “receive the cure of souls which is both yours and mine, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Also present at Christ Church Esher were Area Dean, The Revd Andrew Cowie, and Assistant Archdeacon, The Revd Canon Robert Jenkins, who inducted and installed Darren – in other words, they gave him possession of the temporalities, as opposed to the spiritualities of the parish. Churchwardens Sandra Argent and Helen Coulson were also on hand to welcome the appointment on behalf of the Parochial Church Council and to present Darren to the Bishop. Darren’s wife read the lesson (Luke 13:10-17).
Speaking afterwards, Darren said that there was a palpable sense of the presence in prayer of those who would have loved to have been at the institution, but couldn’t on account of the coronavirus restrictions; and he thanked everyone for their messages of welcome and support.
Pictured is Bishop Jo (left) with those present at the service.
Lord, you have given us minds to know you,
hearts to love you, and voices to praise your name.
Give us grace to offer ourselves freely in your service
that we may faithfully fulfil the worship of your Church,
glorify you in our lives
and share with you in bringing
your Kingdom here on earth.
Amen.
(One of the prayers used at the Service of Institution).
The Reverend Darren McCallig
A priest of the Church of Ireland, the Revd Darren McCallig comes to Esher from Norway where he has served, since 2017, as Senior Chaplain of The Anglican Chaplaincy in Norway. Before moving to Oslo, he lived in Copenhagen where he was Chaplain of Saint Alban’s Church in the Danish capital. Ordained for the Diocese of Dublin in 2005, his ministry in Ireland included a curacy in Monkstown, County Dublin, as well as seven years as Dean of Residence and Church of Ireland Chaplain at Trinity College Dublin. He also served as a member of the Church of Ireland’s General Synod and as Secretary of the Church’s Inter Faith Working Group.
