Tadley vicar ordained as priest in the Church of England at Winchester Cathedral
It was a special day for Tadley vicar Steve McKay as he was ordained at Winchester Cathedral.
The Rev McKay, who has lived in the town for 17 years, has been serving as a deacon at St Mary’s Church for the past year.
Becoming a priest will mean he takes a larger role within the church, and he will fill in for Tadley, Pamber Heath and Silchester rector Richard Harlow, who has been appointed as Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech.
Rev McKay said becoming a priest was “an innate call God puts within you and is tested by the church”.
He was ordained on Saturday, July 2, and said he was “blown away and still getting his head around” the service, which was then followed by an outdoor service for the Tadley community on Sunday morning where he presided at Holy Communion for the first time.
He said: “It is such a privilege to serve the people of Tadley, a community I have lived in for 17 years and a community I love.
“Jesus came to share God’s life with us and priests are called to share that life with others, living the mission of Jesus wherever we are called.
“Priests are called to be servants and shepherds in communities by being alongside people and blessing them – it’s one of the greatest honours and I know from experience that it cannot be carried out in my own strength but only by the grace of God.”
He said he had had “an absolutely amazing” response from the local community, adding that people had been “so generous in their gifts, prayer and the words they’ve said to me".
“I just feel so welcomed and loved in Tadley,” he added.
He will be carrying on in his current role at St Mary’s, but has been asked to lead the benefice of Tadley, Pamber Heath and Silchester as priest in charge.
He continued: “It’ll be an awful lot more responsibility.
“I know I haven’t got the ability but I know that God has, so I’m trusting in that.
“He’s got me this far and has done amazing things at St Mary’s so I think he’s going to do amazing things right across the benefice in Silchester and Tadley. I’m happy to follow.”
Plans for the coming year at St Mary’s include Tadley Men’s Shed – a community group for pursuing practical interests – making it their base, the renovation of the centre and expanding the community garden.
