The Parish of Kirkbymoorside with Gillamoor, Farndale, Bransdale and Edstone celebrated a new role in the parish for Curate the Reverend Bridget Gillespie last week
Bishop of Whitby the Right Reverend Paul Ferguson licensed her as Associate Priest during the 10.30am Parish Eucharist service in All Saints’ Church, Kirkbymoorside, on Sunday, March 26.
Bridget was ordained in 2019 in York Minster by then-Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu and has since served as Curate – training in service – alongside Vicar of the Kirkbymoorside parish, the Revd Mark Brosnan.
As a self-supporting minister she continues her work of teaching and painting Botanical Illustrations in addition to part-time contribution to local dementia care.
Bridget became a Churchwarden in 2008 and went on to train as a Recognised Parish Assistant, which in turn inspired her to study the Old and New Testaments with York School of Ministry. Gradually, Bridget was prompted to explore ordination.
“My calling probably began around the age of 11, but all I knew about women in ministry back then was the nuns from ‘The Sound of Music’”, said Bridget.
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