A former cancer research scientist, agricultural worker and midwife are among the newly ordained deacons who will serve in parishes across the Diocese of Oxford.
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, ordained 20 people to the diaconate on Saturday 1 July in two services at Christ Church Cathedral.
Speaking on the ordination of deacons, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford said:
“It is a joy to welcome this group of dedicated and gifted people who have followed God’s call to ordained ministry. We are blessed to have each of them serving in the Diocese of Oxford. I pray for God’s guidance as they begin their ministry and share the good news and love of Christ to communities across the Thames Valley.”
Family and friends of the ordination candidates gathered at the Cathedral in their numbers to celebrate the occasion. The new deacons heard sermons from the Archdeacon of Dorchester, the Venerable David Tyler and the Associate Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Revd Canon Liz Jackson.
The Venerable David Tyler, Archdeacon of Dorchester, delivering a sermon during one of the services, encouraged the new deacons:
“We are so grateful that you have been faithful to God, that you have responded to his call. As you begin your ordained ministry, as you are ordained deacons, serve publicy where you need to, serve privately whenever you have the opportunity. And at all times, serve faithfully.”
Following two or three years of training, the deacons will now serve as curates in a range of church contexts and traditions – urban, rural, large and small parishes – across some of the 808 churches, serving a growing population of 2.5 million, in the three counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
Each new deacon brings a wealth of experience from different walks of life, parts of the world, and career backgrounds. Some are joining ordained ministry early on in their life and others are taking on the calling in retirement. Apart from those who remain as a distinctive deacon, the curates will be ordained priest next year.
Read more about the new deacons and where they will serve their curacies.
The Cathedral services were live streamed, find the details at oxford.anglican.org/livestream. A photo library is also available on Facebook.
For media enquiries and high-res photos, please contact Madeleine Hayden / 07880 716 761
About the Diocese of Oxford
The Diocese of Oxford is the Church of England in the Thames Valley region of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. There are over 800 churches in 626 parishes, the largest number of churches of any diocese in the Church of England. The diocese is also home to 285 schools and academies educating some 60,000 pupils.