All Saints Church Marlow

On 28 September 2003, Mieke Gaynor was ordained deacon - a significant milestone in her journey as a Christian, and the start of a new and distinctive phase in that journey.

The service in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford , was moving and uplifting; a very joyous occasion, as Mieke and seven other people were ordained, surrounded by family and friends. It was a service of offering and commitment, of blessing and commissioning - and beautiful music.

The Gospel was read by Mieke, and the Mother Sup-erior of the Community at Wantage preached an insightful sermon on how people express what is meaningful to them, and how the Cross of Christ lies at the very heart of Christian ministry as the Church's ministers stay alongside individuals and communities, in their joy and pain, their questioning and searching, even when this is costly. Each candidate was later presented with a copy of the New Testament. The Service was a wonderful affirmation for Mieke, following her training at Nottingham and a parish 'Sun-day' placement at St Andrew's Church, Hatters Lane .

When Mieke came to Marlow in the early 1990s, she quickly involved herself in many aspects of life at All Saints. She joined the Mixed Voice Choir, and became a founder of the Bereavement Support Visitors Group and, later, its co-ordinator. In addition to a variety of activities, including preparing delicious harvest lunches, Mieke was also a governor of Holy Trinity School, and was instrumental in forming a school link between Holy Trinity and the Endeavour School in Gala-shewe, South Africa.

Mieke notably raised the profile of the parish link with St James Church, Galashewe (part of the Diocese of Oxford 's link with the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuru-man), by her lively and informative first-hand reports from her visit there. Mieke made a second visit of 12 weeks, which gave her the opportunity to visit the Endeavour School and to see - and assist with - the care given to sick and orphaned children at the Zenzeleni Wellness Centre. She also helped to set up bereavement support.

Especially memorable was the visit to Marlow of a choir from Galashewe which Mieke played a major part in arranging. This venture involved many people across the Team and the town, and we were all captivated by the warmth, energy and openness of the choir members, and their rich, rhythmic singing.

In addition to her parish involvement, Mieke has worked with 'Youth At Risk', an organisation which supports young people in difficulties, and she maintains her support for the RAF Widows' Association.

She comes to her ministry with a wide experience of life, and many pastoral and organisational skills and gifts, always ready to make the best of things, to 'have a go' - and with seemingly boundless energy.

Now Mieke is serving in the Hambleden Valley Group Ministry, where her many gifts will surely be put to good use in the name of Jesus Christ. We thank her for her contribution to the Marlow Area Team Ministry, and wish her well in her new responsibilities.

Larger versions of the photographs can be seen here...