20 people are to be ordained deacon in the Diocese of Oxford on Saturday 1 July by the Bishop of Oxford.
Berkshire
Rachel Jeremiah
Rachel’s call to ordained ministry and interest in theology began in earnest while she was conducting musicological research into Russian Orthodox chant. She is married to Mike, mum to Naomi, Hope and Barnaby, and constantly kept on her toes by their cat Dorothy. Rachel will serve her curacy at Pangbourne with Tidmarsh and Sulham.
Adam Wingrove
Adam found Faith as a teenager and over the years felt God Calling him into priesthood. He moved to study at trinity college, Bristol with his wife Emma and two children Ellis and Levi. Adam enjoys Gaming, baking, and gardening. He will serve his curacy at All Saints Church, Dedworth.
Listen to Adam speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire about his journey to ministry and the influence of his time in youth ministry:
Amy Sykes/h5>
A keen golfer, Amy’s faith has been shaped through her vocation to children and young people, particularly as a social worker and foster carer. Ordination is a surprise development, not least to Amy. She feels immense gratitude for the examples and love of family, friends and colleagues over the years. Amy will serve her curacy at St. Michael’s Tilehurst.
Oxford and Dorchester
Sam Durley
Sam is originally from rural Dorset and has been based in Oxford since 2016 with his wife and their children. Sam originally trained in molecular biology and worked for a number of years as a cancer research scientist. He is a keen rugby player and long distance runner. He will serve his curacy at St Mary’s Barton, Headington.
Listen to Sam speaking on BBC Radio Oxford about his journey to ordained ministry:
James Elward
James used to work at Open Doors UK and has been living in Witney, Oxfordshire for nearly three years. He is married to the lovely Elizabeth and they live with 2 cats who keep them on their toes! James describes his calling to ordained ministry as God interrupting his life and that it hasn’t always been easy, but God is always faithful. James enjoys running and walking around Witney or climbing mountains in the Lake District. James will serve his curacy at St Mary’s, Witney.
Listen to James speaking on BBC Radio Oxford about his calling to ordained ministry:
Naomi Gardom
Naomi was born in Zimbabwe but grew up in Cambridge, UK. She grew up singing in church and chapel choirs and felt the call to the priesthood in her teens. She followed this call through university and beyond and she is thrilled to be embarking on this new stage of ministry. Naomi will serve her curacy at Oxford St. Mary the Virgin with St. Cross with St. Peter in the East, the University Church.
David Gimson
Born to Christian parents, David has worked as a History teacher for 30 years. He is married to Susanna and they have three daughters. He is very interested in Christian responses to climate change. He enjoys board games and birdwatching. David’s faith has been nurtured over the last twenty years by the church community at St John’s, Cowley, where he will serve his curacy.
Siân GrØnlie
Siân lives in Oxford with her husband Andy and three children, Sunniva, Benji, and James. Sian is an associate professor at St Anne’s College, where she teaches medieval literature. The family are part of St Giles’ Church, Oxford, which is where Siân will serve her curacy.
Rob Rogers
Rob is passionate about Christ, the church, and reaching those on the margins of society. He enjoys equipping others to do the same and is a happy husband and father of five living in Oxford. Rob will serve his curacy in the parish of St. Matthew with St. Luke, Oxford.
Lucie Spiers
Before training for ordination at Cuddesdon, Lucie worked in the University of Cambridge, managing its intellectual property patents and licenses portfolio. She recently moved to Oxford, where she held various roles in her sending parish alongside volunteering in hospital and hospice chaplaincy. Lucie will serve her curacy at St Mary Magdalen’s Church, Oxford.
Buckinghamshire
Kayleigh Lucas
Kayleigh grew up in rural mid-Devon, before moving to Witney in 2011 where she developed her faith and discerned a call to ordained ministry. She has a background in agriculture and a passion for musical theatre and rugby union. After completing her training at The College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, Kayleigh will serve her curacy in Prestwood and Great Hampden.
Listen to Kayleigh speaking on BBC Three Counties Radio about her journey to ministry:
Gill Taylor
Gill spent ten years training and working as a midwife in the NHS, before leaving to prioritise family life. Prior to training for ordination, Gill worked as a worship and prayer leader, which was key in discerning her call to ordained ministry. Gill enjoys playing music, God’s beautiful creation and drinking tea with friends. She will serve her curacy in Flackwell Heath.
Andrew Walmsley
Andrew describes having heard a call from God at different points in his life: first to teaching, then to Licensed Lay Ministry, before finally a calling to Ordained Ministry after his wife sadly died of cancer. Andrew is passionate about the Bible and teaching others, especially the area of discipleship, and loves technology and computers. Andrew will serve his curacy in Princes Risborough with Ilmer.
Syndey Quartey
Sydney grew up in a Christian home in Ghana where he was an Altar server and youth leader in the Anglican and Pentecostal church. He moved to the UK in 1994 and joined the Ealing Christian Centre where he helped form a youth group and supported with music and evangelism at the church. Sydney will serve his curacy in Stoke Poges.
Michelle Fotherby
Michelle describes her journey with faith and to ordained ministry as a rollercoaster and evidence that God has a unique purpose for each of us, doesn’t let up, and calls us from the unlikeliest of places. With a background in the performing arts and teaching, Michelle is a creative ‘think outside the box’ being. Michelle is a divorced single Mum sharing life with her two amazing teenage boys and spends her spare time chauffeuring, walking, and feeding them and their two dogs. She will serve her curacy in Chalfont St Giles.
Listen to Michelle speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio about her calling to ordained ministry:
Jane Grimmette
Jane felt God’s call on her life from a young age and became a Christian as a teenager. She has been married to Chris for 37 years and they have two adult children. Having retired early from teaching Maths, Jane is now looking forward to serving God in ordained ministry. She will serve her curacy in Newton Longville.