A long-serving member of a local parish church has been licensed as Associate Priest – almost 60 years after she first stepped foot inside.
Hilary Avent moved to Easington Lane back in 1966 and started attending St Michael’s Church with her mother. Back then, it was a single church but it is now part of a bigger parish – Hetton Lyons with Eppleton. It also works informally with churches in Houghton and Newbottle.
She eventually felt a call to ordination and now, after serving her curacy, Hilary has been licensed by The Venerable Bob Cooper, Archdeacon of Sunderland.
“It is a huge privilege,” said Hilary, “We have a wonderful church and wider community here. It feels very much like the right thing for me.”
It has been quite a journey for Hilary, who is originally from the former village of Middle Rainton, and lived at Neville’s Cross from the mid-1970s until 1981, when she returned to St Michael’s.
Since then she has carried out numerous roles, which have involved serving on the PCC and supporting the church’s children and youth ministry.
In 1997, Hilary felt a call to ministry, initially as a Reader, while the church was in vacany. She was licensed as a Reader three years later.
“That was significant at the time,” said Hilary. “Much later, in about 2014, I felt a call to ordination but because I was still working full time, nothing came of it.”
Hilary decided to retire from her job as a manager in a training company in 2015, before taking on an unexpected opportunity a year later with Hetton New Dawn, a Faith in the Communities charity in the heart of Hetton, dedicated to improving the lives of those who are vulnerable.
Following the devastating and unexpected death of the charity’s development worker, Margaret Hope, Hilary was invited to apply for the position which she went on to hold for seven years, until July 2023.
“It was an honour to take on the role,” said Hilary. “The pandemic was especially challenging because we had to shut down the charity’s services, particularly difficult for older people, but with a small team of volunteers we were able to send out meal trays to members of the Lunch Club. My husband Grahame was also a huge support, through this time. He has always been very supportive of my ministry and my work.”
With her charity role being part time, it proved crucial in her journey of faith. She went through the process of discernment and was ordained in 2020. Hilary now preaches and presides on Sundays, as well as continuing to support the children’s group at St Michael’s, called Little Saints. She also volunteers for the local foodbank at Easington Lane.
Due to her age, Hilary is due to retire next year but is keen to obtain Permission to Officiate (PTO), which is most commonly issued to retired deacons, priests or lay readers over the age of 70, allowing them to continue to perform the duties of their calling.
She added: “At my licensing service (in September), the stole I wore came from America. The pattern includes houses and trees, and to me that speaks of community. For me, God’s call is to the community I live and work in.”