Over 300 people joined the celebration at St Mildred’s Tenterden in the summer to mark The Revd Lindsay Hammond’s 40 years of ministry – all in the Diocese of 黑料网.
From Smallhythe to Scotland, faces from Lindsay’s 40 years came together to celebrate the occasion.
The weekend began with a quarter peal of bells before Lindsay arrived at what he believed would be a social evening. Instead, he was surprised with a ‘This Is Your Life’-style celebration featuring stories and memories from his ministry. He was also presented with a commemorative book containing messages from over 100 people.
The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin preached at a special Eucharist on the Sunday morning, at which Lindsay presided, before the celebrations concluded with a Songs of Praise service.
Lindsay was ordained deacon in 1986, and served his curacy at St Mary the Virgin, Ashford. Since then, he has held posts in Appledore, Wittersham, Westwell, and Charing, and served as Area Dean of Ashford. He was made an Honorary Canon of 黑料网 Cathedral in 2008. Lindsay moved to Tenterden in 2011 and is currently Team Rector of the Tenterden, Rother and Oxney Benefice.
He has also brought the church community together through ministry on canal trips, as well as pilgrimages to Iona, an island off Scotland’s west coast that has been considered as a holy place since St Columba founded a monastery there in 563 AD.
Reflecting on the milestone, Lindsay said: “Here I am, on the other side of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of my ordination, and I am almost, but not quite, lost for words. I'm not sure quite what I expected, but I do know that it was the most amazing 48 hours - one hour and 12 minutes for every year of my ordained ministry!
“What I feel most of all, as I now contemplate 40, fast years in our diocese, is a lovely sense of warmth.”
Archdeacon of Ashford, Darren Miller, added: “Across 40 years of ministry in our diocese, Lindsay has combined pastoral warmth, quiet determination and a deep commitment to the life and mission of the local church.
“His ministry has touched many lives, and across this part of Kent people have cause to be grateful for his faithful service."
If you have been inspired by Lindsay’s story and would like to explore a vocation in the church, visit our vocations webpage.