New Black Country priest-in-charge ready to start
The new priest of a Black Country church has virtually preached her first sermon since becoming licensed.
Rev. Kate Watson made the sermon over Facebook, having officially been licensed as the priest-in-charge of St Martin's Church in Bradley, near Bilston.
The sermon on Sunday, June 7, was the first part of a new journey for Rev. Watson, who was curate at St Matthew’s Church in Tipton for three years before the new role.
Rev. Watson was announced for the role in January and was due to start in May, but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions.
Despite not being able to set foot inside the church due to lockdown, Rev. Watson said she was looking forward to getting to know the community following the lifting of restrictions.
She said: "It's an essential part of my role to be in partnership with others within the church and in the community in Bradley.
"Before the restrictions started, I had hoped that I would spend lots of time out and about in the community, meeting people in the local shops, schools and many other places.
"For now, the Thursday ‘Clap For Carers’ has been good for meeting people in my new street, but I am looking forward to finding creative ways of getting to know the community within the current restrictions."
Rev. Watson, who was brought up in Short Heath, near Willenhall, and lived for more than 20 years in Aldridge. She had a long career as a chartered landscape architect before feeling the call to ordained ministry.
Her licensing took place over Zoom, the first of its kind for the Church of England in the Black Country, and was conducted by the Bishop of Wolverhampton, Rev. Clive Gregory on Wednesday, June 3.
She spoke about the unique experience of inhabiting a virtual world during lockdown and how the online licensing had seemed normal in the circumstances.
She said: "It's a shame that we couldn't have had the full service that we would usually have had because that would have involved lots of people from the community from the church congregation.
"As soon as such gatherings are possible, we will have a proper institution service and a proper celebration."
Bishop Clive said: “As a Black Country girl and very much a people person, I have no doubt that the people of Bradley will soon take Kate to their heart.
"She is a special person with many gifts and a great desire to serve both church and community."
