People from across the diocese, and many from further afield, gathered this weekend in celebration and thanksgiving as 18 people were ordained, marking the beginning of new ministries across Bath and Wells.
On Saturday 11 new priests were ordained in two services filled with joy and prayer. There were wonderful warm welcomes at St John’s Church Keynsham where Bishop Michael led the service, and in Taunton Minster where Bishop Fiona led her first ordination service. It was a memorable day not only for those being ordained but also for everyone in our diocese.
Speaking afterwards Bishop Michael said, “It has been a fabulous occasion. We have sung together, we have prayed together and we have worshipped together, and we have given thanks for the commitment of those who have given their lives into God’s service and we thank God for them and we praise God for them. It has been a day of amazing joy.”
Those ordained Priest:
- Rosanna Blewett - Ten Lamps Group - Paulton with Farrington Gurney and High Littleton (Benefice)
- Michael Dyne - East Clevedon with Clapton in Gordano, Walton Clevedon, Walton in Gordano and Weston in Gordano (Benefice).
- Lindsay Glazebrook - Ten Lamps Group Ministry - Timsbury with Priston, Camerton, Dunkerton and Englishcombe (Benefice)
- John Hanson - Preston Plucknett (Benefice)
- Lorna Hasell - Alfred Jewel Benefice
- Rachel Howlett - The Saint J's Group with Wellow (Benefice)
- Susannah Padiachy - Bath St. Saviours with Swainswick and Woolley (Benefice)
- Anne Perez - Two Shires (Benefice)
- David Phillips - Farmborough and Marksbury and Stanton Prior (Benefice)
- Caryl Plewes - Taunton St Mary Magdalene & St John the Evangelist (Benefice)
- Russell Herbert - Conventional District of Trendlewood and The Parish of Wraxall with Failand
The celebrations continued on Sunday as six people were ordained deacon at Wells Cathedral. Family, friends, and supporters filled the cathedral to worship and rejoice with our new ordinands. Bishop Michael said, “As Bishop I have the humbling task of leading the laying on of hands that signifies God’s calling of a woman or a man to the ministry of his Church. But as fellow-worshippers and supporters you have the task of holding these Deacons in prayer. You may know them well and we hope you will continue to support them – both in prayer and in practical ways-as they embark upon the ministry God has called them to.”
In his sermon, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, retired Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich said of the ordinands, “They are the public walking expressions of what we are all called to be…. They are exemplars of God’s loving service.
…. “We rejoice in who you are and who you are becoming…”
Ordination takes effect by prayer and the laying on of hands. Within the sequence of prayer, the Bishop says the Ordination Prayer during which he lays hands on each candidate with the words: Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant (name) for the office and work of a Deacon in your Church.
At the end of the service, the cathedral rang with applause and cheers as the new deacons made their way out, surrounded by the joy and encouragement of family, friends and supporters. Speaking after the service Bishop Michael said, “It has been a day of huge joy as six people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences, all kinds of traditions and insights have been ordained today. It has been wonderful to be here with them.”
Our new Deacons and the parishes in which they will serve:
- Ingrid Barnsley - Bath St Luke
- Elizabeth Alden -, Beckington with Standerwick with Berkley with Rodden with Lullington with Orchardleigh and Saint Katherine’s, Woodlands
- Stuart McLachlan - Weston Super Mare St Paul
- Claire Morrish - Bath Weston All Saints with North Stoke and Langridge
- Di Vickery - Weston Super Mare Christ Church and Emmanuel
- Jenny Stromberg - The Link Benefice (and the Benefice of Westonzoyland with Chedzoy)
Later in the day there were yet more celebrations, this time in Weston super Mare as Revd Kevin Coaker was ordained priest by the Bishop of Oswestry, the Rt Reverend Paul Thomas in the Benefice of Clevedon St John and the Benefice of Weston super Mare, All Saints with St Saviour.
We give thanks for priests and deacons ordained this weekend and pray for them and their families as they begin their new ministries among us.
You can see lots more photos from the weekend on the Bath and Wells Facebook page