Fifty Golden Years for Father Terry Palmer
One Archbishjop and two Bishops came to help Canon Terry Palmer celebrate fifty years of ordained ministry on 13th December 2008.
Pictured with Father Terry are Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, Bishop Dominic Walker of Monmouth, and Bishop John Davies of Swansea and Brecon (who served in Monmouth Diocese).
During the service at St Teilo’s, Alway, the congregation sang Father Terry’s favourite hymn. “How shall I sing that majesty”. The final hymn was in honour of St Teilo – originally written in Welsh by Bishop Timothy Rees and recently translated by Bishop Saunders Davies. The hymn was sung for the very first time at this service.
Bishop Dominic paid tribute to Father Terry’s ministry saying: "Canon Terry Palmer is a wonderful example of what a priest should be – his life is centred on God and God’s people. He is loved as a pastor, a teacher and a friend. We celebrate fifty years of faithfulness as a priest and I am sure that Father Terry will continue to work as a priest for as long as God gives him health and strength".
Reflecting after the celebrations, Father Terry said: "My Golden Jubilee of Ordination has been a quite overwhelming and yet humbling experience. Keynotes have been gratitude to God for undeserved blessings on the priviledged and fulfilling ministry into which I was ordained priest at Newport in December 1958, by the late Archbishop Edwin Morris. I have also been conscious of the unfailing love and encouragement of faithful folk in the pews of all the parishes I have served – and not least the loyal and helpful support of a succession of Churchwardens. I was indeed honoured to have Archbishop Rowan Williams to preach at the Sung Eucharist and also to be supported by our present Bishop Dominic together a host of friends representing every stage of my ministry. I have always valued the leadershsip and pastoral support of the six Bishops of Monmouth under whom I have worked in this Diocese. After fifty years of happy ministry I still get excited to see and share signs of church growth and mission, not least in the parish of St Teilo's, where I try to help out in my retirement."
Churchwarden of St Teilo’s, Richard Morgan, asks Father Terry about his ministry
When did you first realize that God was calling you to a life of ministry?
Probably at the age of eight – when in 1942 I was admitted as a chorister at the Parish Church of St Mary’s Bridgwater. Being a member of the choir introduced me to the full range of church life, and the worship of the church. Seeds of vocation were sown, and some splendid young clergy helped to encourage and nurture my sense of being called to the priesthood.
As an Englishman, why did you come to Wales to train for the ministry?
Yes, a West country Englishman, I was influenced by a succession of Welsh clergy who had “gone over the border” to serve in the Diocese of Bath and Wells – and under a vicar, Edward Hamer Hughes Davies, who was a thorough Welshman! An element of adolescent “hero worship” undoubtedly led me to choose St David’s College Lampeter, where the curates of my home parish had been trained, and I was not disappointed, and during my time at Lampeter I made many life long friends. Five years at Lampeter helped my priestly formation: an Honours Degree in History and two years at the Bishop Burgess Theological Hall before ordination in Newport by Archbishop Edwin Morris, as deacon in 1957 and as a Priest on 20th December 1958.
What challenges did you face as a young Curate in Griffithstown?
An interregnum after only 6 months as a Deacon! Also the challenge of hospital chaplaincy, and overseeing two large Sunday Schools, and a Youth Club that flourished in the Church Hall.
What made you move to St David’s?
The privileged opportunity to minister at this wonderful shrine of our Patron Saint – and of course, the musical tradition that I had came to love gave me a chance to exercise the ministry of Minor Canon for three precious years. Ever since, the traditional Cathedral set-up has left an indelible mark.
How have you adapted to different types of parishes you have been in?
Every parish, urban, cathedral or rural has had its own style: one soon came to adapt in a journey of exploring the rich variety and breadth of Anglicanism.
What have been your most memorable occasions during your ministry?
All Cathedral experiences – as a young Minor Canon being billed to preach in St David’s Cathedral in mid-August to a packed nave of visitors, pilgrims and tourists. More recently to have been in Canterbury Cathedral at Archbishop Rowan’s enthronement service, and last March, to share with 200 priests in the archdiocese of Brisbane at their Chrism Mass – and to be anointed by the Archbishop for renewal of my priestly ministry in God’s Church.
How has your spiritual life developed?
Slowly and only by the grace of God. I have come to a greater appreciation of the value and joy of reciting the Daily Offices, even in the privacy of my own study at home – it makes you feel part of the whole church at daily prayer. Silence means more to me, and I find help from the writings of the great spiritual masters.
What is your favourite hymn and what does it mean to you?
Unquestionably it is John Mason’s “How shall I sing that Majesty!” (and the tune Coe Fen). I have chosen it for my Jubilee Mass and want it at my Requiem Funeral Mass too. It recalls my littleness, my finitude, and God’s unfathomable greatness beyond our imagination in this life. The final lines of the hymn leave me speechless before God’s eternal and infinite greatness: “Thy time is now and evermore: thy place is everywhere”
What are your interests and talents and how do you use them?
From University days I have continued to be a keen student of Church History and Liturgy, having specialised in these subjects at Oxford. I try to keep up my reading, in the service of my ministry, whether in pulpit, sanctuary or pastoral encounters. I have been known to share shreds of knowledge in the Church Times ‘Out of the Question’ column as a sort of agony aunt! Basically academic study and Christian education go together – I suppose that is why I was recently elected to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts – an institution committed to the spread of sound learning in every walk of life. It is a privilege to try to do that in my ministry at St Teilo’s.