CONGREGATION members of St Mary’s Church Saffron Walden gathered on Sunday to witness Rev Paula Griffiths being ordained as a priest.

DELIGHTED members of the St Mary’s Church Saffron Walden congregation looked on as the Rev Paula Griffiths was ordained as a priest on Sunday.

Paula has been serving in the team ministry for the past year, and her ordination as priest follows on from her ordination as deacon at Chelmsford Cathedral last September.

The most significant aspect of the change is that Paula will now be authorised to preside at the Eucharist.

She said: “My year with the team ministry has been very fulfilling and I look forward to continuing to serve the whole community following my ordination as priest.

“It has been a particular privilege to be ordained at St Mary’s, surrounded by so many of my family, friends, former colleagues and the whole congregation.”

Three bishops took part in the service, including the Bishop of Colchester, The Rt Rev Christopher Morgan.

It was a family occasion too – Paula’s husband Roger, together with St Mary’s Rector, Rev David Tomlinson, formally presented her to the bishop for ordination, while nine-year-old granddaughter Claire read one of the lessons.