The new Associate Rector at St James Piccadilly
On 24th July, a glorious sunny Sunday, our former curate, Rev. Dr Ayla Lepine was licensed by the Archdeacon of Charing Cross as the new Associate Rector at St James Piccadilly. Over 20 friends and supporters from Hampstead Parish Church went to celebrate with her at a service which was held entirely outside.
Mother Natasha Beckles, the Assistant Curate at St Martin’s Gospel Oak where until recently Ayla was an Assistant Priest, gave a powerful sermon on power and the abuse of power. She preached from the church’s unique outside pulpit which was designed by the architect Temple Moore, who enlarged our church with the Lady Chapel and choir vestry and is buried in our Additional Burial Ground, so another Hampstead connection.
Sunday was also St James’s patronal festival. The symbol of St James is the scallop shell. It is said to be a metaphor, with its lines representing the different routes pilgrims travel from all over the world, all walking trails leading to one point, the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela. The seashell, especially the scallop, is also a symbol of baptism. At Hampstead Parish Church the priest uses a scallop to pour water over the heads of those being baptised. After the service the Rector, the Reverend Lucy Winkett, as she welcomed Ayla, gave her a scallop shell which she said had been blessed and left on the altar at St James, waiting for Ayla’s licensing.
Afterwards there was fizz and cakes to celebrate!
We wish Ayla every joy and happiness in her new role
