Scaynes Hill vicar The Rev Lisa Barnett has been honoured by the Bishop of Chichester in recognition of her work supporting young women who are exploring ordination.

Lisa, from St Augustine’s Church, has been made an honorary canon of Chichester Cathedral and will take the stall of Prebendary of Woodhorn. 

“It’s an honorary title which is given for service to the diocese,” Lisa explained. “It doesn’t mean any extra responsibilities, but does mean a ‘seat’ in Chichester Cathedral for special services!”

Lisa will be installed as an honorary canon of Chichester Cathedral within a service of Evensong at the Cathedral on Sunday 18th March at 3.30pm. All are welcome!

Since being ordained in 2007 and being given her first parish, Scaynes Hill, in 2011, Lisa has been passionate about supporting other young women considering ordination.

“In spite of it being almost 25 years since the Church of England first ordained women as priests there are still not very many young women offering themselves as candidates for ordination,” said Lisa. “As a young female vicar in this diocese, I have supported several other young women who are newly ordained or exploring ordination, and I have become something of a role model for young clergy women who are pioneering new ways of balancing their vocation to church leadership alongside family life.

“I am enormously grateful to the wonderful church family at St Augustine’s, as well as the wider community in Scaynes Hill, who have been so encouraging of my ‘twin vocations’ as a vicar and a mother, and so supportive during my periods of maternity leave,” Lisa added.

“I will still be vicar in Scaynes Hill, so this title doesn’t change very much, but it is a very special honour and a recognition of the ongoing diocesan commitment to supporting women’s ministry.”