25 new Priests and Deacons ordained for Diocese
25 people were ordained over the weekend, ready to serve parishes across the Diocese.
In a ceremony led by the bishops of Worcester and Dudley at Worcester Cathedral, the candidates were ordained either as Priests, having completed their first year of training, or as Deacons, entering into their first year as such.
Bishop John Inge ordained the priests while Bishop Martin Gorick did so for the Deacons.
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Helen Stanton, Warden of the Diocesan retreat house, Holland House, preached at both the services after leading a pre-ordination retreat for all of the candidates.
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."
He added: "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."
Those ordained as Deacons at the service:
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
Those ordained as Priests at the service:
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