Joyce Bennett
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Joyce Bennett
Meme Griffiths shares a joke with Joyce Bennett during the Cornerstone Party on 26th July 2008
Cornerstone Party on 26th July 2008 Joyce meets the Archbishop of Canterbury
Outlook features Joyce Celebration on 2nd December 2006
Those who have sent greetings to Joyce Messages from Joyce's friends
On 3rd December 1971 Joyce Bennett was ordained priest in the Anglican Church in Hong Kong, one of the first two women to be ordained as priests outside a situation of war-time emergency. On 2nd December 2006 Joyce celebrated the 35th anniversary of this event at a special service at St Francis of Assisi, Terriers, followed by a concert and lunch. Everybody seemed to enjoy the day - there is more about this below.
Mary Bennett thanks all those who sent greetings and made donations. All should be included in the list below. Please let her know if your name or message is missing. The total sum raised for the church of St Francis in Joyce's honour was £6,155.07, and plans are now being made to use this in improving the church. In particular, it is hoped to provide glass doors at the west end. Since then, some further fund-raising has taken place - including a party at Joyce's house in July 2008.
You can read all about Joyce's life and work in a downloadable article. Written by Andrew Paine and originally published in two parts in Terriers Parish Magazine, September and October 2006, it has been reprinted and can be freely copied and used provided that the source is acknowledged.
Guests enjoyed a magnificent lunch in the garden at The Cornerstone. Here Hugh Brocklehurst, Anthony Harrop and Philip Tsang tuck in.
To raise more money towards the JMB35 fund to provide glass doors at the back of church, an auction of plants was held. Here auctioneer Tony Dickinson is in action, with his assistants Beatrice Dickinson and Terry Dean.
Musical entertainment was provided by a number of guests. Here Jean Mayger, a member of the choir at Terriers Church, is singing to harp accompaniment provided by the internationally renowned harpist Skaila Kanga.
Joyce Bennett with the Archbishop of Canterbury during the service of Thanksgiving for the renewal of the church of St Martin in the Fields, London, on Monday 28th April 2008
Outlook, the magazine of Watch (Women and the Church) featured Joyce Bennett in their series about 'Celebrated Women'. The article was written by Canon Stephen Sidebotham and also had a note about the celebrations at Terriers in December 2006. Not only that, but Joyce and Mary appeared in the front cover photograph.
See their website for more information about Watch.
On 2nd December 2006 a thanksgiving service was held at St Francis, at which Joyce presided. Many friends from around the world thronged the church on what was a joyful celebration of Joyce's life and ministry. Visitors were welcomed by Canon Tony Dickinson, the Vicar of Terriers, and then Canon Stephen Sidebotham (formerly Dean of Hong Kong) explained the background and significance of Joyce's ordination to the priesthood. Joyce presided at Holy Communion and the sermon was preached by The Revd Nick Holtam, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, where Joyce's ministry had continued after her return from Hong Kong. The blessing was given by The Right Revd Simon Barrington-Ward, formerly Bishop of Coventry.
After the service there was a concert by an array of musical talent of all ages, then followed an excellent buffet lunch in the Church Hall where many old friends were reunited. Thanks to Mary Bennett for masterminding the event, to all those who helped in any way towards a successful day and, of course, to the many visitors who attended.
Mary and Joyce pose by the pulpit in Terriers Church after the service.
One of the highlights of the concert was when former pupils at St Catharine's School for Girls (where Joyce had been Principal for 15 years) sang the 'Hong Kong' version of Jerusalem.
Here Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward chats with Joyce over lunch in the Church Hall.
Canon Stephen Sidebotham and guests are clearly enjoying themselves.
Canon Tony Dickinson, Vicar of Terriers, talking with guest preacher The Revd Nick Holtam, Vicar of St-Martin-in-the-Fields, over lunch in the Church Hall.
Some of the many visitors talk with Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward over lunch in the Church Hall.
Mary has supplied some further photographs, displayed below, but without details of the subject or photographer. If you are the photographer, please let the Webmaster know and the information will be added.
At the concert.
Simon Lambros and daughter.
The choir of St Francis Church.
At the concert.
Joyce, Nick and guests leaving church after the concert.
A toast to Joyce.
Joyce and friends.
Gillian Tettmar (nee Minogue) |
Joyce, Very many congratulations on 35 Years of ministry. Lots of love. |
Annik |
Many congratulations on the anniversary of your ordination - we are so blessed to have found you at Holy Trinity, Penn, and grateful for your caring preparation of Ambrose Heal for his confirmation. |
Sam and Elain Yeung, Philip, Alex and Cecilia Tsang |
Dear Revd Joyce Bennett, Congratulations on your 35th anniversary of ordination. |
Joan Coxhead |
Congratulations, Joyce, on the 35th Anniversary of your Ordination. James, Miriam and Susie join me in sending our greetings and love on this special day. |
Amy Lin & Ip Ath |
Dear Miss Bennett, Founder of St. Catharine's. A great friend of Hong Kong. Congratulations on your 35th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood. |
May, Philip, Martin & Thomas Cheung |
Congratulations to you on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood. Joyce, you are the pioneer who has beaten a trail so that other can follow. Best wishes from from Hemel Hempstead. |
Bob & Helen Hyatt |
Dear Joyce, We were there in Hong Kong Cathedral and I had the privilege of being one of the many hands laid on you then. Congratulations on this happy anniversary of that trail-blazing event, which opened the way for so many more women to be ordained to service, including our own daughter. We are so sorry that we cannot be with you for your celebration. May the Lord continue to bless and use you to His Glory. |
Peggy Chan Sui Fun Law |
Dear Miss Bennett, Congratulations! You have given us beautiful footprints to follow and a lot to learn from. |
Christine & Eugenius Yung |
Congratulations Revd Bennett on a truly magnificent and wonderful achievement! |
Kenneth Fung |
Dear Rev. Bennett, You have always been a friend, a teacher and surely a priest to me and student of UTC. May God continue to bless you |
From the Tsang family - Ruly and Philip, Angela and Simon |
Congratulations to the Revd Bennett with many blessings and LOVE. |
Suet Ping |
Dear Miss Bennett, You are one of the most important angels in my life. I am very grateful that Jesus has sent you into my life. |
From Rachel and Michael Cartland, James and Caroline |
On this very special occasion we are honoured to recognose Joyce as a member of our family, a perpetual inspiration and dear friend. She has been associated with so many milestones in our lives: she preached at our wedding, baptized our son James Howard in Hong Kong and our daughter Caroline Joyce in St Martin-in-the-fields, and gave the eulogy at the funeral of Rachel's mother. |
From Kay Barker |
Joyce - Many congratulations and blessings on the 35th Anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood. |
From Mr Brian Hart |
Congratulations to Joyce on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of her Ordination to the Priesthood, and with grateful thanks for her outstanding services as Headmistress of St. Catharine's School, as a Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, and as Chairman of the Hong Kong Anglican Church Association. |
From your many friends at St Martin-in-the-fields |
Dear Joyce: Congratulations on your 35th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, with love and prayers. |
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