25 ordained for parishes across the Diocese

25 candidates were ordained over the weekend to serve in parishes across the Diocese.

16 candidates have completed their first year and were ordained Priest in the Cathedral on Saturday; they are now able to preside at the Holy Communion. A further nine candidates were ordained Deacon on Sunday and are entering their first year of training as a curate.

The ordination services were led by the bishops of Worcester and Dudley, with Bishop John ordaining the Priests and Bishop Martin ordaining the Deacons. Helen Stanton, Warden of the diocesan retreat house, Holland House, preached at both services having led a pre-ordination retreat for all candidates.

Ordained Deacon:

• Michael Edwards, who will serve at St Peter’s Church in Bengeworth, Evesham
• Peter Greaves, who will serve in the Kidderminster Ismere Team
• Dean Hall, who will serve in the benefice of Tardebigge, Redditch
• Sooz Magee, who will serve at the churches of St Wulstan, St Barnabas and St Nicholas in Worcester
• Gilly Maxim, who will serve in the Worcester City West Team
• Tim O’Leary, who will serve at All Saints with St Helen in Worcester
• Prajna Pal-Lad, who will serve at All Saints in Evesham
• Chris Smith, who will serve in Kingswinford and Wall Heath
• Sarah Tranter, who will serve in the Halas Team in Halesowen

Ordained Priest:

• Martin Allen - serving at St Laurence’s Church, Alvechurch and Holy Trinity, Redditch
• Mike Bunclark - serving in the Worcester Southeast Team
• Fiona Carter - serving in the benefice of Christ the King, Redditch
• Claire Cox - serving at St Mary’s Church, Oldswinford, Stourbridge
• James Homer - serving in the benefice of Elmley Lovett with Hampton Lovett and Elmbridge with Rushock and Hartlebury and Ombersley with Doverdale
• Rachel Homer - serving in the Halas Team, Halesowen
• Val Houghton - serving in the benefice of Brierley Hill
• Norman Jevons - serving in the benefice of Darby End and Netherton and the benefice of Dudley Wood and Cradley Heath
• Jen Jones - serving in the benefice of Teme Valley South
• Jamie Klair - serving at All Saints with St Helens in Worcester
• Sally Knowles - serving in the Worcestershire West Rural Team Ministry
• Linda Nicholas - serving at St Peter’s Church, Ipsley
• Jayne Parker - serving in the benefice of Pershore w Pinvin, Wick & Birlingham
• Ben Somervell - serving at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill, Dudley
• Esther Treasure - serving in the Dudley Team
• Richard Wood - serving in the Worcester Southeast Team

Bishop John said: ‘’This will be the last ordination at which I preside: it has been one of the greatest privileges of being a bishop. This year more deacons and prayers will be ordained than in any of the past 16. God is doing something wonderful and new. They will be a great gift to everyone in the places they will be ministering. I pray for God’s rich blessing upon them, that they in turn may be a blessing to others.”

Deacons

Michael Edwards (Bengeworth, Evesham)

Myself, Hannah (my wife), Oliver (3) and Lois (10 months), are delighted to be returning to the Diocese of Worcester, after spending the last three years in Cambridge for my training. It’s been a great experience in a beautiful place, but the East of the country can never quite beat the West, and we can’t wait to get to know the people of Bengeworth.

Having been born & raised in Southport, I moved to Malvern originally in 2010 to study Theology & Youth Ministry at Regents Theological College, the Elim Pentecostal Church’s theological training college. After completing my degree, I stayed on in Malvern serving in a dual vocation as a member of Regents’ teaching Faculty, running the Youth Ministry degree course, and also serving as an Elim Minister in Training voluntarily leading a Church Plant for youth and young adults with my best friend James. I finished these roles four years later after my Ordination in the Elim Church, but ironically took up the role of Youth Minister at St. Andrews & All Saints in Malvern.

A variety of factors culminated in both this switch from Elim to the Church of England, but in short, I was particularly inspired by the death of my grandmother. More specifically, the care shown at that time by our parish Priest in Southport to my father, who doesn’t go to church, simply by virtue of him living in the parish. I still believe the Church has a vital role to play by being a visible sign and agent of God’s love and care in and for our local communities, regardless of whether somebody comes to church or believes in the Christian God or not.

Being ordained as a ‘deacon’ is being ordained as somebody specifically to serve; I’m humbled and excited to begin this new chapter serving the people of St. Peter’s and the wider Bengeworth community.

Peter Greaves (Kidderminster Ismere Team)

I am so looking forward to being ordained as Deacon and to take up my role as Assistant Curate at St Peter’s Church Cookley.

I was born and educated in Lancashire but spent time living and working in London before settling in the Midlands in 1980. I am married to Anne and between us we have five sons, three wonderful grandsons and a beautiful granddaughter who I have just met for the first time as they have travelled from Sydney, Australia. Anne has been a constant support on my journey showing her love and encouragement, but concern for my health.

I found Church to be a supportive family, as well as my own, after my mother died when I was young. My faith developed and has never wavered. I have loved my involvement in Church life, and I have grown missionally and sacramentally. I spent almost 40 years in teaching, over 20 of them as a headteacher in primary schools, before I had to retire because of ill health. My ethos in school was always to encourage the gifts, talents and potential of children, staff and parents within a community focus. I hope to transfer this approach to the community of Cookley, building on all that exists and has been achieved by the clergy and congregation of St Peter’s and to help others on their own Christian and spiritual journeys.

I am grateful to our former Rector, Nigel for recognising in me a vocation and calling to ministry and to our Curate in charge, Shaun, whose unerring support has been amazing, and I look forward to working and growing in faith together.

Dean Hall (Tardebigge, Redditch)

I was first called to minister in 2016 when I started Cafe Church, a new worshipping community. I led this as churchwarden but as time went on, I felt I needed a more solid qualification and some training. I took the Bishop's Certificate and then started to train as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in 2019. When I was licensed in 2021, I was content and thanked God. I felt it was what I had been called to do. However, after my licensing I was given the opportunity to do funeral ministry. Feeling called to go deeper and explore this, I obtained Bishop's permission to conduct funerals.

When I was nominated for the Auxiliary Pathway for ordination by my incumbent, I was sceptical as I never considered myself an ordinand. I don't see lay or ordained ministry as anything other than equally valuable ministerial giftings and thought that I was already doing what I had been called to do. I went to the discernment interview and was offered a place. I proceeded with the same initial scepticism, but it was on this pathway that I learned something new about myself, callings and formation. We are not called to do; we are called to be. I am excited by my calling and look forward to discovering what I am called to be.

Sooz Magee (St Wulstan, St Barnabas and St Nicholas, Worcester)

It was during the time I was studying for my Nursery Nursing Diploma at Stourbridge College that I came to faith and first encountered God’s love for me and the world through a friend I had met there. I was in my early twenties and had been supported and encouraged through the faith community I became part of, which I am grateful for. My faith journey has been bumpy, life giving and has helped me to persevere and be sustained, throughout life’s ups and downs.

I spent the first half of my 20’s engaged in Christian missionary work both here in the UK and abroad. In that time, I completed training courses related to Christian Counselling and Christian Discipleship. Whilst completing the course in Community Christian Counselling with a Christian organisation Youth with a Mission (YWAM) I was involved in supporting people who were vulnerable, this experience sparked my interest in working with those on the fringes of society.

In 2020, I completed an applied BA Theology degree, and this is where I began to realise God was perhaps calling me to ordained ministry. I had various nudges from God and conversations with people in that time and some suggested I speak to my DDO.

I went through a discernment process, which gave me space and time to reflect on my faith journey and helped me to see where God had shown his love and grace to me all the way through my life, and how God had been preparing me. My call then began to be strengthened by the people who have supported me, from my cohort to my tutors, my friends and family and members of the congregation in my link church. They have all been such an encouragement to me.

Since then, I have completed my training at Queen’s College in Birmingham where I was able to further explore theologies such as black theology, disability theology and womanist theologies and gain broader and deeper knowledge. This time has been incredibly formational, and I have very much enjoyed journeying and learning with a group of diverse people who come from different traditions.

Gilly Maxim (Worcester City West Team)

I was born in Sussex and grew up in Cheshire. My love of church was from a very early age and at the age of three I refused to go to Sunday School anymore as I felt that I was missing out on better things in church!

Music for me has always been fundamental in expressing worship and I became a chorister at the age of 10. My first degree was in Music and it is while at Music College that I met my now husband, Piers. Piers and I have four children Amelia (21), Abigail (20), JJ (17) and Florence (nearly 16) and a very ‘churched’ goldendoodle, Jerome.

Between having the children and moving around (London, Brighton, Glasgow, Brussels and Malvern) my career has been varied. I started working for the Diocese in the Education Team nine years ago and felt my move there to be my vocation. My experience with policies and procedures combined with my passion for education and my love for the Church of England seemed to collide with supporting Church of England schools in areas of governance and policy, and I felt that God had called me to that role and that is where I would stay.

Then during lockdown when I was working full-time from home, home-schooling four children, and in the research part of my Masters, I felt an almost physical tapping of God calling me to do “more”. It was so intense that I slammed down the lid of laptop, looked up and shouted, “I am actually quite busy!”. I thought I could hear God laughing, as if to say, “You’re busy?!!”

I emailed the Director of Ordinands to ask him what sort of role God could be calling me to as I was definitely not going to be a vicar! But God had other ideas and my journey towards ordination began. I am greatly looking forward to moving to St John’s and getting to know and getting to serve the community.

Tim O’Leary (All Saints w St Helen, Worcester)

Born and raised within the warm confines of a Christian home, my faith was nurtured by my parents who were Pentecostal pastors. As I grew, my faith took root and flourished within the Anglican Church.

In the midst of my twenties, feeling lost and seeking direction, I found myself finishing a shift at Cafe Nero in Worcester. As the scent of coffee clung to my clothes, I made a decision that would forever change my life. I searched online for the closest church that held an evening service. All Saints Worcester emerged at the top of the list. As I pushed open the doors of the church, coffee grounds still dusting my skin, I was immediately enveloped by a sense of belonging. Over the span of the following three to four years, the compassionate congregation at All Saints nurtured my faith and loved me back to life.

During this transformative period, I felt a palpable call to dedicate my life to full-time ministry. Though uncertainty clouded my path, I found myself torn between the Anglican Church that had embraced my lost soul and the Pentecostal Church that had birthed my faith. Seeking clarity, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and theological understanding at Regents Theological College for Elim Pentecostal Churches. Following my graduation, I took up the role of a youth pastor in Pentecostal Church in Birmingham. However, an increasing sense of being a 'square peg in a round hole' took root within me, making me question again where God might have me serve His church. I turned to Him for guidance once more.

Asking this question led to me serving as a Youth Pastor at Holy Trinity Cheltenham. Here I began to understand that God wanted me to serve the Anglican Church that had become my spiritual home.

My personal history with Worcester is deeply rooted, having spent my formative years here attending school, college, and church during my late teens. Consequently, the thought of serving All Saints Worcester, as I return to this familiar and cherished ground, fills me with an immense sense of privilege and a profound sense of responsibility. I’m looking forward to being playing a part in the unfolding mission of God as I serve All Saints, a family with whom I anticipate sharing life with, from whom I expect to learn invaluable lessons, and alongside whom I aspire to contribute to this cherished household of ministry.

Prajna Pal-Lad (All Saints, Evesham)

On one hand, ordination feels like the culmination of a long becoming, a calling that started in my early years, and on the other hand, my journey from confirmation to ordination has been something nearing the speed of light.

I trained as a Methodist Local preacher in Munich, Germany while completing my doctorate in Biochemistry and served my local church for a few years before moving to the UK to do my post doc, get married and start a family. We lived for a few years in Worcester where I served as a Local Preacher in the Methodist church, before settling in Evesham where I regularly preached in the Methodist churches in the South Worcestershire circuit. The toddler group in our parish church was closing due to a lack of volunteers and as I came armed with two toddlers, and a baby on the way, I was asked to lead it. I soon realised that having a nucleus of church going children was vital in introducing the other children at the group to church life and activities.  At some point, it became tedious to navigate the Church of England-Methodist church hopping schedule and I knew I had to stop sitting on the fence. So I naturally went where my children were, and have been there ever since.

My training in the Auxiliary Pathway continues to provide me with the bearings of my Anglican formation. I am grateful to serve in a tradition that encourages me to engage with my faith with robustness, to explore and to understand ever deeper the mystery of God and God’s love. Training with an amazing cohort and being taught by outstanding teachers has been a journey of joy for me. If I can convey even part of that joy in the communities and parishes I serve, a joy that defies our fears and our mortality and reminds us how to live in the way which is generative, my training will have been successful.

Chris Smith (Kingswinford and Wall Heath)

I’m a Black Country lad, born and bred, and went to Wolverhampton University, where I was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. For many years I have run my own recording studio in Stourbridge as well as having many professional gigs around the UK and abroad.

A grew up in the Anglican Church, however my faith journey then took me to a Pentecostal Church where I spent around twenty years as musical director and served on the leadership team. My theological outlook began to develop and broaden about fifteen years ago and gradually I found my home back in the Church of England, where I pursued what I felt strongly to be a vocation to ordination.

I have just completed training at The Queens Foundation in Edgbaston in theology, ministry and mission and am looking forward to my curacy in Kingswinford. My training has encouraged me to reflect on my experience of different charismatic and liturgical worship styles, and how they might be drawn together in ways that help us encounter God in dynamic ways.

Married to Melanie, I enjoy playing tennis, dog walking and drinking the odd pint of real ale! I am committed to making church enjoyable and making the Christian faith accessible and relevant for everyone.

Sarah Tranter (Halas Team, Halesowen)

I think I might call myself the reluctant ordinand, as I felt I should become an ordained minister many years ago.  I even gained a master’s in theology as a procrastination measure and a way of delaying God’s call. But as the years went by, the reality of the height and depth of God’s love for me grew. And, as this knowledge grew, so I was challenged to show greater love to those in the world around me.  Eventually I knew, I could no longer ignore God’s call and started the journey towards ordained ministry.

There have been many setbacks, but these setbacks have developed my Christian faith in quite an extraordinary way, and my character has grown far beyond my expectations. So, I’m pleased that I made the first step and took the plunge and now I can’t wait to be ordained and am looking forward to serving the people of Halesowen, and helping others encounter the love of God.

Priests

Martin Allen (St Laurence’s Church, Alvechurch and Holy Trinity, Redditch)

In some ways it feels like not much has changed since my ordination as Deacon and my experience has been that the changes have been a continuation and extension rather than anything dramatic.

I am fortunate to be licensed to two churches and have appreciated their different areas of ministry, although there are many more similarities than differences between them. There is certainly a lot going on in both parishes and as I am now semi-retired from work, I have enjoyed having more time to get out in the parishes. I remain grateful to the congregations, ministers, and clergy of both churches for their support and prayers.

Some things that I’ve done as a Deacon have felt natural (talking to bereaved families preparing for funerals, using skills learnt as a GP). Others have been harder (trying to remember to make services welcoming to those unfamiliar to church and intergenerational at the same time). I have found a deeper meaning in daily prayer and worship and have re-appreciated BCP alongside exploring Common Worship more widely.

I started the discernment for the ordination process having a desire to bless people. Once I am ordained priest, I know doing that formally and being a blessing to others will be special too. I cannot predict what presiding at the eucharist will feel like but look forward to exploring that change too.

Mike Bunclark (Worcester Southeast Team)

How the time has flown. It seems only yesterday that we were ordained Deacon and now the day of Ordination to the Priesthood is almost upon us. I approach it with a sense of anticipation and some excitement, a sense that, I believe, is shared by my church community.

As a member of the Auxiliary Pathway, all my training and my time as a deacon has been spent within my home benefice. They have been an integral part of my faith journey. They have supported me at every stage, through my training and ministry as a Reader and then through discernment and ordination training and now as their Curate. They have reinforced for me that, with the grace of God, this is the right path for me to take.

Over the last 9 months, they have helped me in my transition into ordained ministry encouraging me every step of the way. Together we have explored the subtle changes that a dog collar makes both in terms of how I am seen and what is expected of me. They have invested a great deal of time, patience and love in me and for that I will be eternally grateful.

I am now looking forward to being able to repay some of that investment by serving them as a Priest.

Fiona Carter  (Christ the King, Redditch)

This year as a deacon has been amazing. I have so enjoyed all the new experiences I have had while learning so many new things.

I am very grateful to Father Glenn for the many opportunities he has given me to get to know better the communities I serve in many different ways. Learning how to officiate at baptisms and funerals and share in these very significant family events has been an immense privilege.

I have enjoyed getting to know people better in the parishes I serve in, and meeting new people from our communities has been absolute joy. I have loved being a deacon at the Eucharist and am looking forward to taking the next steps in my ministry. I have also enjoyed serving these communities by being involved in our new family services, washing up at Feckenham toddler group, helping at our coffee stop in Astwood Bank held for the local community, being a governor and grandparent at Feckenham school and being part of a lovely team doing Open the Book at Astwood Bank primary school and many other things. 

This coming year I am looking forward to officiating at weddings, as well as becoming more confident with the things I have learnt this year and to start to do other new things. Presiding at the Eucharist is one of those things. It feels an absolute honour to be able to do that. On the 30 June I will be presiding for the first time and although I am nervous about it, I am also really looking forward to it as it feels like the next step.

Claire Cox (St Mary’s Church, Oldswinford, Stourbridge)

It’s been a year of complete change for the whole Cox family. Alongside my move into full time ministry from a company where I’d worked for 23 years, we moved a new home, in a new place with new schools for both children, Amelia and Albert, plus a new career for my husband, Paul.

We have been welcomed with open arms into the parish, feeling supported, encouraged, happy and settled. It took me a while to get used to wearing a collar, but it is always a great conversation starter, especially when I’m volunteering behind the bar at our local pub, the seven stars. This time has really helped me to get to know the local community and build relationships.

Sadly, our son, Albert, was admitted to Birmingham Childrens’ hospital last August staying 60 long days. The hospital is where our journey of faith began, and we must never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through these tough times in our lives. In the midst of a storm, hope is found, Jesus is our light, our strength and our song. We finally settled Albert into his new secondary school in November.

I have loved learning about the community of Oldswinford and have particularly enjoyed my time with Oldswinford Church of England Primary School and Clover Leaf. One of my many highlights in worship has been washing feet on Maundy Thursday and it has been a privilege to be alongside people for baptisms, funerals, part of prayer groups, confirmation, and wedding preparation sessions. Importantly the year has been fun, and I have learned so much.

As a Priest, I look forward to continuing to nurture the gifts of the Spirit given to the community. Taking my first wedding will be very special, especially because it will be Albert’s one to one support teacher from primary school, who cared for him for 7 years. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts. (2 Corinthians 9:15).

James Homer (Elmley Lovett with Hampton Lovett and Elmbridge with Rushock and Hartlebury and Ombersley with Doverdale)

In practical terms, there has not been much difference between being ordained and being a Licensed Lay Minister. However, it has been something of a pleasure to take part in the joy of weddings and baptisms after the unalloyed sadness of funerals.  I had not fully realised how visible a clerical shirt made one, and the consequent willingness of many to speak, whether meaningful or greeting. This also includes non-churchgoers which is intriguing.

The fundamental change that began within in me before being interviewed for ordination, has continued. In one sense that is a little unnerving at this time in life when one is used to one's own skin, but it is also deeply satisfying to appreciate that my calling is what I should be doing in life. The imposter syndrome recedes. It has also been most helpful to realise my spirituality is apophatic, which can at times appear slightly different to some others.

I look forward not only to the ability to fulfil all the sacramental functions, especially the eucharist, but also, being in rural parishes, to hopefully becoming part of the fabric of the locality.  Mind you, there is a forthcoming challenge in that our seven parish benefice goes into vacancy in September.

Rachel Homer (Halas Team, Halesowen)

The time since my ordination as deacon has quite literally flown by. It has been both a joy and challenge in equal measure. I have had the pleasure of sharing life with so many wonderful people as I have got to know the congregations of St Peter's, Cradley and St Margaret's, Hasbury as well as having many wonderful opportunities for ministry and learning that have come my way. As a self-supporting Minister it has been a challenge to balance life and business outside the church whilst desperately wanting to be involved in all aspects of church life.

There have however been many moments in which I have experienced God's blessing during the last year and throughout he has constantly affirmed my calling despite my wobbles and doubts.

As I approach ordination to priest, I count it a privilege to be called to ministry and am excited to continue my journey with God and the whole Halas team who have supported my learning and development over the last two years on the Auxiliary Pathway.

Val Houghton (Brierley Hill)

Being ordained as a Deacon last September at the age of 70 was an incredible experience. In the months since then my journey of faith has continued to be transformative and a privilege.  The Auxiliary Pathway has enabled me to be a self-supporting Deacon in the parish where I was baptised in 1953 and where I was confirmed in 1966.  I am looking forward to presiding at the Eucharist in that same church. I appreciate that this is very unusual in the Church of England, and I feel very humble to be able to serve in the parish where I was born.

The training over the last two years has been quite intense yet interesting and thought provoking.  It is such a privilege to be heading towards priesthood at this late stage in my life, my life experiences that have brought me this far will, I feel, help me in my ministry.  I feel empowered to serve with renewed strength and purpose. I look forward to serving the parish in the coming years.

Norman Jevons (Darby End, Netherton, Dudley Wood and Cradley Heath)

Being ordained Deacon to the place I’ve been a member of for nearly 50 years has both its plus and minus points. There are people still around who remember the person I was; including my wife – not always a good thing! But the pluses outweigh any possible negatives as it does mean I know the congregation well and feel able to minister to them in a deeper way than if I had come to them as a stranger. 

Being Priested this Petertide will mean that I can support, teach and walk with them on their Christian journey more fully without having to ‘hand over’ to another Priest for the sacramental elements of ministry. And it is that which I am looking forward to most, as people of God together we explore the mystery of God as expressed in and through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and how we can respond to that challenge in today’s less reverential and less community minded society. I pray for God’s blessing on this next step in my journey with him.

Jen Jones (Teme Valley South)

The Auxiliary Pathway to Ordination has been a wonderful experience. Being called to be a minister is not something I ever considered or even suspected might happen, let alone ordination. I still find this rather hard to believe but I do know that placing my trust in the Lord and believing in Him was the right thing to do.

I was born in Worcestershire and this is where my roots are. I truly feel that this is where God has called me to be. I enjoy serving as a deacon and being part of the ministry team. I have learned a lot from them and the people of these parishes, I look forward to continuing to do so – we never stop learning. 

I feel very humbled to find myself here on the threshold of priesthood and overjoyed that when it came, that I answered God’s call. I had imagined my retirement years to be quiet and spent gardening and perhaps, now and then, a bit of wildlife conservation volunteering. However, I am more than content to serve and share in caring for His flock.

And so, I look forward to continuing to serve in these deeply rural parishes, ministering to the people of God; through and in creation, the changing seasons and the everyday things of rural life. 

Jamie Klair (All Saints with St Helens in Worcester)

It’s been a fantastic year serving in the heart of Worcester. Whether it’s seeing love in action at the foodbank or preaching to people who wander into church absolutely hungry for God, I couldn’t have asked for a more varied and wonderful time as a deacon in this diocese.

I’m excited about this coming year as a priest. In part, I hope to participate in more of what has begun this year: being a deacon never ceases! But I know God has more in store - and I’m just as willing to follow into the new and unknown for His glory.

Sally Knowles (Worcestershire West Rural Team Ministry)

Having had many new experiences and roles over the last forty years, my new role as deacon has been one of the most exciting and also one of the most challenging of my life. But the best thing about it has been the knowledge that my ‘boss’ is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Taking on new responsibilities, such as funerals and helping at weddings and baptisms has made me so aware of the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, and my need to be totally reliant on Him. It has been really affirming to get the love and support from my rural congregations that has encouraged me over the last few months. Wearing a dog collar has certainly initiated a few interesting conversations, that I am sure would not have happened otherwise.

I am really looking forward to my role as priest, very aware that if I had listened to God more closely when I was younger, I would now be looking forward to retirement as a priest, not embarking on my journey! I am really excited to be able to share God’s love, presiding at the Eucharist, and walking alongside people as they explore their own faith in our loving God.

Linda Nicholas (St Peter’s Church, Ipsley)

It has been a very busy and fulfilling time since my ordination as Deacon last September.

The highlight for me has been the Ministry of Baptism. I had previously worked alongside my incumbent in the Baptism ministry for over 10 years, meeting families and hearing their stories, arranging their baptism service, carrying out preparation and rehearsals and taking part in the service, which has all been very rewarding and I feel really blessed to be part of this. It is now with joy that I am able to carry this through and baptise the children as well.

 It is the most amazing experience to be able to carry out this and other ministries that God has called me to.

I really look forward to being ordained as a priest and especially to celebrate at the Lord’s table.  To share this sacrament with others and enable them to meet with Jesus in so many ways in the Eucharist.

Jayne Parker (Pershore w Pinvin, Wick & Birlingham)

My deacon year has been full of opportunities I could not have imagined.  Dr Suess wrote about the “The Places You Will Go”, but this year has been more about the people I have met.  As a Minister in Secular Employment I am able to spend time in both my work place and my parish whilst wearing my collar and what a privilege this is.  I have shared in stories of joy and heartbreak from military veterans, faith explorers, widows, visitors, and those who are facing illness or bereavement.  I have been humbled to take funerals and baptisms and each offer something different to cherish.  In July, a last minute request to stand in to take prayers, led to an unexpected role in the District Council 50th Anniversary Civic Service with a number of dignitaries. I was able to take part in the dedication service for our new organ and in Remembrance services.  I have been welcomed into our schools for Collective Worship and Open the Book.  I was able to see a little of how the Diocese works at Bishop’s Council.  I have served cake at the Plum Festival and even paraded around town in my pyjamas for our Carnival entry.

It is the people to whom I am most grateful - they have talked, shared, listened, encouraged, cheered and questioned with me.  They have welcomed me into their homes for visits and into their heads and hearts in services. They have prayed with me – and it is this which I most look forward to carrying on as I am ordained Priest: to continue to be with them, to pray with them, to marry some of them and to share in the Eucharist with them.

Ben Somervell (Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill, Dudley)

Being a Deacon has been rather a rollercoaster ride: exhilarating, unpredictable, breath-taking and challenging in equal measure. It has been an immense privilege, joy and task, and has enabled me to realise that it is not the destination that matters but it is instead the process of journeying with God and His people.

After a long but worthwhile discernment process, it's been great to have finally begun the ministry I had long felt called to and really get stuck in with ministry on the ground. Perhaps the greatest joy, and occasionally also challenge, in my curacy so far has been the people one is called to minister to as a Deacon. They have been a great source of encouragement and blessing and it's also been a delight and profound duty to journey alongside them, through both highs and lows. Whether that journey involves visits, courses, unexpected conversations, Baptisms, weddings or funerals.

I've been blessed that the joys of curacy so far have deepened my connection with and gratitude to God. I've also equally been blessed that the challenges have deepened my reliance on God, my rootedness in Him and life in prayer.

I've seen with new assurance God's promise that he calls those he equips, even when spontaneous challenges arise.

I've loved living in the Black Country where most people tend to open, honest, robust, friendly, welcoming and down-to-earth, which I've found especially helpful with my autism so I don't have to guess what people are feeling!

I'm immensely grateful to my training incumbent Nick for his experience, wisdom, patience and advice and also to the very friendly and supportive leadership team and congregation at Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill.

It's been a privilege to minister in a single parish with a clear focus on the community and its opportunities and challenges.

So, as I look ahead to my upcoming ordination as a Presbyter, I say with Dag Hammarskjold: "For all that has been, thank you. For all that is to come, yes!"

Esther Treasure (Dudley Team)

I always dread being asked to write about myself and always find myself putting it off until the eleventh hour. Thus, here I am, last minute, reflecting on the past year, drawing together some conclusions and considering my hopes as I prepare for priesthood. What seemed a chore though, is in fact, a blessing to me; as I take a moment to pause and look back, I realise what an incredible gift ordination has been and how this past year, despite its frantic busyness overall, has been wonderfully fulfilling!

Rather than highlight any specific event, I can say I've loved it all! Being a deacon has given me the opportunity to serve God, the church, and the world in so many ways, both weird ones and wonderful ones! And now, as I look forward to my priesting, I simply see it as a continuation of that opportunity to serve, though, perhaps even more deeply and fully – and I can't wait!

Richard Wood – (Worcester Southeast Team)

Becoming a Priest is the culmination of over four years of preparation and is a tremendous privilege. After a varied career including several years as a Headteacher and as a business owner, I come to this new call. These earlier roles have, in some small way, brought me here. In every role I have been tasked with engaging with people but have increasingly been burdened by the need to be available to people regarding their spiritual lives - and this seems to have become less and less permissible, professionally.

The role of priest is, like much of what we do in the church, emblematic. Wearing a dog collar is a signpost that allows others to come to you in their own time and on their terms. Wearing a dog collar over a shirt worn in through years of work and life experience seems an even better fit.

The open offer for people to explore spirituality amidst their busy lives is in large part why I am here, reflecting as it does, God’s free and unconditional love to us all in Jesus Christ. My hope is that I can serve people well in their journey of faith.

See all the photos from the ordinations over on our Facebook page: