Every summer the Church of England celebrates the ordination of new deacons and priests.
Over 400 ordinands will be ordained as deacons. On Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, some of their stories will be highlighted in the Church of England’s #NewsRev campaign.
This newest generation of clergy will join others in leading churches through prayer, teaching, and worship. In doing so, they will further the mission of the Church, to be a Church for all people and for all places.
There will be two groups of people being ordained at Gloucester Cathedral in special services this weekend.
On Saturday 30 June, 3pm to 4.30pm, seven people will be ordained as priests for the Church of England in and around Gloucestershire.
The new priests have already been working in churches throughout the Diocese as ordained deacons, learning the work of a priest and assisting their parish priest in the running of the church. The service in the Cathedral is the final step for the new priests after years of training.
The seven people being ordained as priests on Saturday 30 June and their parish/areas are:
| Dan BROWNE | Newent and Gorsley with Clifford’s Mesne |
| Robert CHURCH | Tetbury, Beverston, Long Newnton and Shipton Moyne |
| Janice HAMILTON | Tidenham with Beachley and Lancaut |
| Joy LUDLOW | Thornbury and Oldbury-on-Severn with Shepperdine |
| Helkias MAPIMHIDZE | Broadwell, Evenlode, Oddington, Adlestrop and Westcote with Icomb and Bledington |
| James TURK | Upton-St-Leonards |
| Julian WILSON | Cirencester with Watermoor |
On Sunday 1 July at 10.15am nine people will take the first step into ordained ministry at Gloucester Cathedral when they will be ordained as deacons. A former voiceover artist, estate agent and supermarket merchandiser are among the six men and women being ordained deacon.
Ordination is the Church’s official recognition of a person’s sense of calling to be a priest or deacon and this first step into ordination will give them the authority to do certain things in the name of God and the Church.
The nine people being ordained as deacons (and their parish/area) on Sunday 1 July are:
| Rosie AMESS | Assistant Curate in the benefice of Cheltenham, Holy Trinity and St Paul, and Pioneer Chaplain to Church Street GP Surgery |
| Stephen GODSELL
Sebastian HAMILTON Joe KNIGHT Rachel MURRAY Jane WOOD
|
Ashleworth, Corse, Hartpury, Hasfield,
Maisemore, Staunton and Tirley Tewkesbury with Walton Cardiff and Twyning Newnham with Awre and Blakeney The Winchcombe Team Ministry Dursley, Uley, Nympsfield and Owlpen
|
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek said, “These are very special services not only for those who have been training to be ordained as deacons and priests, and for their families and friends, but for the whole Church. As bishop it is my privilege to ordain these wonderful people as they say ‘yes’ to God’s call and the adventure of their continuing journey in faith. I hope these services will encourage every person of every age and background to say ‘yes’ to God to go on becoming who they are called to be.”
Please hold all these people in your prayers as they approach this special occasion.
What exactly is ordination?
- Ordination is a church service that marks the beginning of a lifetime of service as a member of the clergy. Vicars are probably the most well-known type of clergy.
- Those training to be ordained, are known as ordinands.
- During an ordination service, ordinands make lifelong vows, which include promises to share the gospel and serve their communities.
- A bishop will pray that the ordinands have the gifts to lead the Church in worship, pastoral care, and mission.
When do ordinations happen?
- Traditionally, most ordination services take place at the end of June, during Petertide.
- Petertide is a feast day marking the martyrdom of Saint Peter, the fisherman, who as a disciple of Jesus was an instrumental figure in the early church.
- Ordination services usually take place in cathedrals.
How does one become an ordinand?
- Those being ordained would have felt called by God to serve as a deacon or priest. For some, this will have involved many years of praying before making the commitment to come forward.
- Almost everyone being ordained as a deacon this summer, will have completed a training course at one of the theological education institutes (TEIs) based around the country.
- Before entering a TEI, ordinands would have gone through a selection process, where candidates are tested on a range of topics, such as their understanding of the Church, their faith, their sense of vocation, leadership, and collaboration.
- Training courses typically take two to three years. After the course, ordinands will normally receive either a bachelor’s degree or a diploma of higher education.
- Tuition fees for ordinands are covered by the Church; the Church also pays a contribution towards ordinands’ living expenses.
How have ordinand numbers changed over the years?
- Last year more than 500 people started training, an increase of 14% on 2016.
- In 2017, the number of women entering training grew by 19%, the highest in a decade and accounting for just over half the cohort.
- The number of young people (under 32), entering training last year grew 39% on 2016, representing 28% of those entering training in 2017.
What happens to the ordinands after ordination?
- Newly ordained clergy begin their ministerial life as deacons. The first jobs they do are called curacies (they are known as curates).
- After a year, most deacons are ordained again as a priest. Although some choose to remain as deacons throughout their ministry.
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