At Your Service

Had Elland Road so greatly overflowed they'd have been pushing tickets on the black market; had there been such manifest enthusiasm, United might not be in the mire in which perilously they now flounder.

There is even a policeman at the back, chief superintendent no less, but since he hasn't his horse with him the attendance may be considered symbolic.

Finally there is a seat in a side aisle, from which we wait in vain for the wedding feast invitation to go higher. Infamously optically enfeebled, the column may see more of the average football match than it does of the institution and induction of the Rev Michelle Ferguson as Rector of Hurworth and of the associated churches of Dinsdale and Girsby.

It is uplifting for all that. The new parish priest, a surpliced slip of a thing, will stand out from the crowd, even so.

Hurworth is by the winding Tees south of Darlington, renowned among other things for its long running rectors - the last one stayed 24 years, the one before that for 34 - and as the home of William Emerson.

An 18th century mathematical genius and itinerant eccentric, Emerson wore his shirts inside out to deflect disease and could take several days (and several more pubs) to walk the three miles home from Darlington market.

In 1743, it is recorded, he married an earlier rector's daughter in expectation of a handsome dowry. When it failed to materialise, he returned all his wife's clothes to her father, protesting that he wouldn't take a single rag from such a gentleman.

He died aged 81, is buried in All Saints churchyard and still has a village pub named after him.

The new rector is married to a Newton Aycliffe GP - Gordon Ferguson was an Easington Colliery lad originally - has worked for several years as an unpaid priest in the Great Ayclffe area, as assistant chaplain at Holme House prison in Stockton and has recently been helping, unpaid, at Hurworth.

It is therefore a bit of a surprise that we've never met and a much bigger one when she makes the first of the necessary affirmations.

"I, Marie Dorothy Michelle Ferguson..." The accent is French Canadian, the r's rolling like a Bedlington drunk, and by the French Canadian connection inevitably hung a tale.

Her first language is French, her education in French, her upbringing Roman Catholic. "You can't be French Canadian and not Roman Catholic", she says afterwards.

"My parents now think I sound very British," adds Michelle, though around Hurworth, she sounds about as British as Pierre Trudeau.

She met Gordon when he was studying at Ottawa University, moved with him to England when medical duty necessitated it but had hoped eventually to return.

"It was a really insidious affair," she says. "As time went by I began to realise that to go back would cause so much upheaval, it would be better to stay. It hasn't always been easy. I miss my home and my family very much."

In the rectory, sometimes in the street, she still speaks in French to the children. "I want them to have some of that background," she says.

Her first degree is in French literature, her second in translation. She trained for the ministry in Durham, lived in Heighington, accepted temporary responsibility for Hurworth, Dinsdale and Girsby when the last incumbent retired.

Greatly and supportively welcomed, she decided after almost a year's reflection to apply for her first stipendiary post there.

"There was no guarantee I'd get it, but I realised this was the work which gave me a sense of fulfilment. If God wanted it to happen, it would."

The family have now moved to Hurworth, where she will employ child care but live more frugally than some long gone predecessors in the benefice.

A parish priest's pay suggests little option, of course, though GPs fare rather better. "Financially we are fairly blessed, but I feel that Christians are challenged to lead a simple life, especially taking into account the great needs there are in the world," she says. "We are challenged to use the money we do have responsibly."

The service is partly legalistic, induction into the "real and actual possession" of church and benefice, deeds of institution, cure of souls.

Since it is still Christmas, we sing Angels From the Realms of Glory; since it is joyful, we sing Jerusalem.

"I hadn't been looking forward to it, just an event which had to be done, but as soon as it began I was overwhelmed with happiness," she says later.

The Rt Rev Tom Wright, the newish Bishop of Durham, speaks in his address of the problems facing the Church - "from keeping the roof on the parish hall to keeping the Anglican communion together" - and supposes it his first visit to the parish.

Bishop Tom is mistaken. His first official visit of all, sword and ceremony on Croft Bridge, saw him cross into the parish of Hurworth.

Instituted and inducted, done and dusted, the new rector is offered symbolic gifts of bread and Bible, wine and water and is welcomed by everyone from mayor to medics, clergy to councillor.

It takes ages to get out of the church at the end, never a chief superintendent when you want one. Michelle is hugged repeatedly at the doorway, each moment photographed by her very proud father, the one who supposes her to sound British.

"I think I am going to enjoy it very much here," she says. Like Arsenal, a winner.

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