There were celebrations and selfies this weekend as 18 deacons were ordained priest at services around the diocese.
On Saturday services took place at Reading Minster for deacons who serve in Berkshire, led by Bishop Mary, and St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Great Missenden for Buckinghamshire clergy, led by Bishop Dave. On Sunday, deacons were ordained at Dorchester Abbey, for those who serve in the Dorchester archdeaconry, led by Bishop Gavin, and at St Mary’s Church in Kidlington for Oxford ordinands, led by Bishop Steven.
The ordinands were each asked to make declarations of faith and swear oaths of allegiance to His Majesty the King and canonical obedience. After prayers for the ordinands and their ministry, Bishop Steven and assisting clergy lay hands on each of the deacons in turn to pray for them.
In her sermon to ordinands in Kidlington, the Revd Catherine Butt referred to St Paul’s letter to the Colossians where he encouraged the readers to get properly dressed to live this new life in Christ, putting on ‘compassion, kindness, meekness, gentleness, patience and forgiveness’.
She added: “New priests this is what you are promising to do with all of God’s people to tell the story of God’s love. God’s never-stopping, never giving-up, unbreaking always and forever love and to depend on God’s grace and power as you do so. I am sure that each of you will be a wonderful example for us to follow as we pray earnestly for the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
As part of the service, each ordinand is anointed with oil and presented with a Bible by the presiding Bishop. Once ordained the new priests are then asked to give their first communion to the congregation.
The deacons made priest were:
Berkshire
Beth Quainton, Bracknell
Andy Medlicott, St Michael’s in Bray
Leanne Fowler, South Newbury benefice
Alison Dean, Walbury Beacon benefice in West Berkshire
Simon Eves, North Newbury benefice
Buckinghamshire
Rob Perkins, Chesham
Alison Drury, Walton Churches Partnership in Milton Keynes
Jo Wigley, Buckingham Parish Church
Lydia Lee, St Andrew’s in High Wycombe
Dorchester
Frances Caroe, Wantage.
Dov Whittle, Damascus Parish in Oxfordshire.
Emma Firth, Dorchester Abbey team.
Tim Adams, Burford
Oxford
Josh Stenner, St Mary and St Nicholas in Littlemore.
Paul Charles, Kidlington with Hampton Poyle.
Jess Wyatt St Andrew’s in Summertown
Reema Shinhmar, St Aldate’s Oxford
Luke Bretherton, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Read about the new priests and their journey to faith. See pictures from the preisting services in Oxford and Dorchester and in Reading and Buckinghamshire.