TAVISTOCK will witness a rare event this Saturday — the ordination of a member of the clergy.
The service will be attended by the Archdeacon of Plymouth, the mayor of Tavistock and other local dignitaries. It will be followed by a celebratory tea in church, and all are warmly invited to attend.
Paula said: 'I feel humbled and privileged, and am so looking forward to being a new priest in these parishes.'
The Rev Michael Brierley, priest-in-charge of Tavistock and Gulworthy, said: 'It will be an absolute joy to see Paula take on this responsibility for which she has long prepared.
'It will be a wonderful occasion, to which the whole community is extremely welcome.'
The special service at 2.30 pm in St Eustachius' Church will be taken by one of Devon's assistant bishops, the Right Rev James Mason. The sermon will be given by the person responsible for interviewing prospective clergy in Devon, the Rev Preb Amanda Rylands.
Paula will continue to work as a curate in Tavistock and Gulworthy, and as a priest, she will be able to take services of holy communion.
She will do this for the first time at 9.45 am in St Eustachius' Church on Sunday — 'Back to Church' Sunday — a national initiative in which people are being warmly encouraged to come back to churches across the town if they have given church a miss for a while, and would like the opportunity to return.