18th April 2024
For the Revd Canon Theresa Scott a life in the church had not crossed her mind until she stopped to wonder ‘what next’? Fast forward seven years and Theresa was part of the first cohort of women ordained priests in 1994 at St Helen’s Church in Abingdon.
A Christian from childhood, Theresa, who lives in Thame, had been busy raising her two children and not really thinking about taking on a role at her local church. Then she had a very clear vision that God was calling her to be a priest, even though women weren’t yet able to be ordained.
She said: “I was wondering which direction my life should be taking as the youngest of my children was starting school – and God answered that question. I never felt called to be a Licensed Lay Minister or deacon, my calling was very much to be a priest so it was an odd thing to try to progress through.”
After her ordination, Theresa went on to become a non-stipendiary minister, while her children were still young, which allowed her the flexibility to be at home as well as at church.
She added: “I have met and worked with many wonderful people both clergy and congregations. I have been able to share something of the love of God with so many more people through baptisms, weddings and funerals. I have walked alongside people who have come to faith and others who are now also priests. I have loved the weekly cycle of worship and prayer with others and alone.
“More recently in retirement I have really enjoyed a ministry of ‘filling in gaps’ during various parish vacancies.”
When her children were old enough, Theresa took on a stipendiary role, becoming the incumbent firstly at Burchetts Green and then Bicester. However, she feels the church still has work to do to ensure women are treated equally.
Theresa explained: “After 30 years women clergy are clearly not yet equal in the Church of England where alternative Episcopal oversight is, after 30 years, still offered to parishes who refuse to accept the ministry of women priests.
“I decided, along with quite a lot of women, that we were not going to spend our time arguing because the job was more important. That said, some men would assume because I was a woman they could tell me how to do my job as a parish priest. I think that is still common in the secular world as much as in church. Women have always had to fight for their position.”
Theresa continues to officiate in the Diocese of Oxford, as well as New Zealand where her daughter lives and she spends several months every year. She concluded: “The positives far outweigh the negatives – being an Anglican priest has been and continues to be an extraordinary calling and privilege.”
A service of celebration of the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women as priests will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford on 28 April, at 2.30pm. More information here.
