WORCESTER Cathedral played host to twelve candidates who will serve in parishes across the Diocese.
Seven candidates were ordained deacon and will enter their first year of training as a curate.
A further five candidates have completed their first year and were ordained priest, they are now able to preside at the Holy Communion.
The Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge presided at both ordinations, assisted by the Bishop of Dudley, and the Right Revd Nigel Stock, Bishop at Lambeth, preached.
The candidates came from a variety of different backgrounds and will be serving their curacies in parishes throughout the diocese:
Among those ordained as deacon was Andrew Todd to serve at St. Stephen’s Church in Barbourne while Sarah Cottrill, who serves at St. John in Bedwardine was ordained priest along with Owen Gallacher, who serves at All Saints in Worcester
Andy is a newcomer to the Diocese of Worcester as he is moving with his wife and two children, from a rural, eight-church parish near Malton, North Yorkshire.
He left university 20 years ago, expecting to begin training for ordained ministry shortly afterwards.
But after a couple of years working with the Anglican Church in South Africa and then in youth and community projects in central London, he ended up training as a Chartered Accountant, and worked most recently as a partner in an accounting firm, giving tax advice in the Financial Services sector and to governments.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some great people from New York to Dubai, and from Athens to Doha,” he said.
“It’s been a huge change already, but my colleagues, friends and family have all been incredibly supportive, and I feel very privileged to have been given this opportunity.”
Sarah said: “The last year has been one of learning, challenge and great enjoyment. I have been privileged to walk with people at some pivotal points in their lives.
“I approach my ordination as Priest with some trepidation but with a sense of excitement, knowing that God will continue to lead and sustain me to fulfil the call He has made on my life.”
Owen said: “To be honest, I’ve spent most of this year figuring out what exactly I’m supposed to be doing as an ordained person.
“I’m still working on it, but I think it’s about being a reflection of Jesus – and encouraging and facilitating the whole church to be a reflection of Jesus as best we can in our different ways.
Bishop John said: “Ordination services are a great celebration of God’s call to serve. It is always a joy to ordain those who have responded to God’s call to dedicate their life to the service of God and other people in ministry.”
