The Rev'd Lynda Sebbage has been welcomed to the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry as the new vicar for Debden and Wimbish.

A service of licensing and installation was held at St Mary the Virgin and All Saints in Debden on Thursday, October 24.

The service was attended by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev'd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Archdeacon of Stansted, the Venerable Kate Peacock, the Bishop's Chaplain and the team clergy, with a congregation made up of representatives from Saffron Walden and villages across the team.

Rev'd Dr Jeremy Trew, in his roles as Area Dean and Team Rector, welcomed everyone and presented Lynda to Bishop Guli for the licensing. The Archdeacon then installed Lynda in her stall at the church.

Bishop Guli delivered a sermon focused on new beginnings, challenges and searching out and welcoming those on the sidelines.

Lynda was then led by the Archdeacon and the churchwardens to the font, the pulpit, the lectern and the altar.

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At the end of the service, Lynda rang the bell to announce her arrival and the west door was flung open to welcome all.

A buffet was held afterwards so the congregation could mingle and welcome Lynda and her husband Peter.

A total of £425 was collected for the Bishop's charity for licensed ministers in the Diocese of Chelmsford.