A prayer of celebration and dedication
Written by the Reverend Celia Midgley
God of healing and of justice
we gather this day to give thanks for the ministry of women
which has enriched our witness for a century and more.
Today as we celebrate those women who have entered the ministry
small in number yet still large in service
we honour also those who went before
who struggled for acceptance in seminar and at table.
God of justice and of wholeness
we set before you now our vision of a wider church
which generously fosters all its members' gifts.
Help us to hasten the day when women's ministry
nurtured and named, respected and recognised
stands equal with men's in every place
where your name is hallowed and your work is done.
Amen.