Welcome to our Newest Ordinands

Fifteen new deacons were ordained in the Diocese this summer. Read their biographies below as they introduce themselves to the Diocese.

 1 Alison Cooper (Ascot Heath), 2 Shaun Henson (Bladon w Woodstock), 3 Emma Coley (Wendover and Halton), 4 Helen Azer (St Aldates), 5 Gill Lovell (Burnham with Dropmore, Hitcham and Taplow), 6. Mark Ackford (Bracknell), 7. Amanda Bloor (Hambleden Valley), 8. Raymond Obin (Bucklebury), 9 Neil Watkinson (St Andrews and St Mary, Magdalene, Maidenhead), 10 Peter Holmes (Beaconsfield), 11 Helen Wilkinson (Newbury), 12 Rachel Webbley (Bicester), 13 Jason St John Nicolle (Kidlington with Hampton Poyle), 14 Peter Jarvis (Thatcham).

Alison Cooper
I was born in 1951 and was brought up in South London, in a Christian and musically centred family. I have worked in banking, insurance and the airlines. I was married to Rod 27 years ago, when we moved to Ascot. We have two daughters, Emily and Rebecca. I was licensed as an LLM 18 years ago, with a particular interest in the ministry of healing. For 3 years, I was part of a hospital chaplaincy team and am now returning to All Saints', Ascot as an NSM.

Raymond Obin
Before training at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, I worked for 18 years in the computer industry. I have a maths degree and a Southampton football hat, and have written a book. I am married to Jane, a primary school teacher, and we have 2 teenage children. I am now looking forward to a curacy at Bucklebury, near Newbury.

Diane Reid
I grew up in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and studied music at university. After working as a teacher and Church Youth worker, I moved to Bristol, where I met my husband, Jason. I am very much looking forward to starting my curacy in Whitley in July.

Shaun Christopher Henson
I am an American and came to Oxford in 1999 for research. My wife, Adina and myself met as undergraduates and after marrying, I became a United Methodist ordinand at Duke University Divinity School. We were in ministry for a decade in the States, including service in inner city Boston, Massachusetts, where we established a church. Having now become Anglicans, I will serve as a Curate in Bladon and Woodstock. We have one daughter, Erica, aged 17.

Gill Lovell
I have belonged to the church since childhood and I value my Welsh Baptist roots. I became an Anglican 16 years ago and was confirmed at a turning point in my faith, when I began responding to God's call. I have been involved in lay ministry and have worshipped in Bracknell with my husband and son for 11 years. I look forward to beginning a new phase of my ministry with the people at St Peter's, Burnham.

Helen Wilkinson
I became a Christian at a Billy Graham crusade meeting when I was 14, though I was brought up to go to church. Before sensing God's call to ordination, I taught maths at a comprehensive school in Reading for 26 years, where I was a member of Greyfriars Church. I have appreciated training at Trinity College, Bristol for the past 2 years, and am excited about being a part of the team in Newbury.

Emma Coley
I am married to Lee, and we met at Exeter University. We have been married for 6 years. Lee works as a solicitor, specialising in Ecclesiastical Law. Before training at Wycliffe Hall, I taught English and drama at secondary school level. As we move to Wendover (with Halton), in Buckinghamshire, I am looking forward to all that goes with being ordained; an ambition I have held since I was 15.

Jason St. John Nicolle
I was born in Somerset, but have enjoyed living in many different places since then, including, Leicestershire,Dorset, Jersey, Oxford, London and New York! Before starting my Ordination training at Ripon College Cuddesdon, I taught law at the University of Westminster and worked as a debt counsellor at a London law centre. I am married to Maranda and am the son of the Revd and Mrs M G St John Nicolle of St John, Jersey.

Amanda Bloor
Before training for ministry, I had a varied career, working as a Civil Servant, a teacher, a personnel officer and Chair of the RAF Families’ Association, ‘Airwaves’. My husband, Mark, is a helicopter navigator with the RAF, and we have 2 daughters, Sophie and Caroline. I have been studying for the Certificate in Theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon and am looking forward to serving my title as Curate in the Hambleden Valley Group.

Neil Watkinson
Originally from Newcastle, I am married to Debbie, a hospice doctor, and we have lived in Chesham for 7 years. Prior to training at Oak Hill, I was an architect in private practice for 11 years, a year of which we spent in India. We are look forward to serving Christ and making the Gospel known as we join the Borough Church of St Andrew and St Mary Magdalene, Maidenhead.

Peter Holmes
For 30 years I taught maths to reluctant learners. Following redundancy I was free to study theology. I took a BA (Hons) AKC and an MA at King’s College, London. In 1998 I went to the University of Glasgow to study for a doctorate, which I completed in 2001. This year I have spent as an ordinand at St Stephen’s House, Oxford. I shall serve my title as a curate in the Beaconsfield Team.

Rachel Webbley
Brummie born, I moved to Aylesbury at 13. After school, a year teaching sailing at a Christian activity centre preceded moving to Durham reading French, Spanish and Theology. A year in France before my finals led to time in Argentina with USPG in a soup kitchen. Excellent preparation for working as a PA to a headmistress of an independent school! I have been very happy in Birmingham and stimulated by training at Queens. I will serve my curacy at Bicester.

Peter Jarvis
I am 40, married to Sue with two children Daniel, 11, and Andrew, 8. Since leaving school I worked and subsequently owned a photographic shop in Ashford, Kent. Prior to training at St John’s, Nottingham, I spent three years at All Saints, High Wycombe as their youth minister. I am very excited about serving as assistant curate at St Mary’s, Thatcham and developing my ministry in the team.

Helen Azer
Having grown up in the Middle East, lived in the UK and Germany and been an undergraduate and ordinand in Oxford, I am delighted to be serving my title at St Aldate’s Church in the heart of this multicultural city. I look forward to the challenge and privilege of ordained ministry. When I’m not working, I hope to enjoy going to the cinema, travelling and eating Chinese food with friends.

Mark Ackford
I am married to Suzanne, and we have 2 children, Catharine (7) and Joshua (5). Prior to training at Ripon College Cuddesdon, I worked as a Dentist within the NHS, latterly as a Senior Dental Officer for Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust. We are now looking forward to the next stage of our journey with Christ as we move to Bracknell where I will serve as Assistant Curate to the Bracknell Team Ministry.

Please pray for those who were ordained priest at Petertide: Catherine Butt (St Mary, Bletchley) Philip Chadder (Great Chesham) Lucinda Holt (Newton Longville and Mursley); Peter Grosse (Reading St Matthew); Beatrice Pearson (Easthampstead); Jason Reid (Woodley Team Ministry) Nicholas Cheeseman (Wantage)