25 people were ordained over the weekend, ready to serve parishes across the Diocese.

In a ceremony led by the bishops of Worcester and Dudley at Worcester Cathedral, the candidates were ordained either as Priests, having completed their first year of training, or as Deacons, entering into their first year as such.

Bishop John Inge ordained the priests while Bishop Martin Gorick did so for the Deacons.

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Helen Stanton, Warden of the Diocesan retreat house, Holland House, preached at both the services after leading a pre-ordination retreat for all of the candidates.

Bishop John said: "This will be the last ordination at which I preside: it has been one of the greatest privileges of being a bishop.

"This year more deacons and prayers will be ordained than in any of the past 16."

He added: "God is doing something wonderful and new.

"They will be a great gift to everyone in the places they will be ministering.

"I pray for God’s rich blessing upon them, that they in turn may be a blessing to others."

Those ordained as Deacons at the service:

  • Michael Edwards, who will serve at St Peter’s Church in Bengeworth, Evesham
  • Peter Greaves, who will serve in the Kidderminster Ismere Team  
  • Dean Hall, who will serve in the benefice of Tardebigge, Redditch
  • Sooz Magee, who will serve at the churches of St Wulstan, St Barnabas and St Nicholas in Worcester
  • Gilly Maxim, who will serve in the Worcester City West Team
  • Tim O’Leary, who will serve at All Saints with St Helen in Worcester  
  • Prajna Pal-Lad, who will serve at All Saints in Evesham
  • Chris Smith, who will serve in Kingswinford and Wall Heath
  • Sarah Tranter, who will serve in the Halas Team in Halesowen

Those ordained as Priests at the service:

  • Martin Allen - serving at St Laurence’s Church, Alvechurch and Holy Trinity, Redditch
  • Mike Bunclark - serving in the Worcester Southeast Team
  • Fiona Carter - serving in the benefice of Christ the King, Redditch
  • Claire Cox - serving at St Mary’s Church, Oldswinford, Stourbridge
  • James Homer - serving in the benefice of Elmley Lovett with Hampton Lovett and Elmbridge with Rushock and Hartlebury and Ombersley with Doverdale
  • Rachel Homer - serving in the Halas Team, Halesowen
  • Val Houghton - serving in the benefice of Brierley Hill
  • Norman Jevons - serving in the benefice of Darby End and Netherton and the benefice of Dudley Wood and Cradley Heath  
  • Jen Jones - serving in the benefice of Teme Valley South
  • Jamie Klair - serving at All Saints with St Helens in Worcester
  • Sally Knowles - serving in the Worcestershire West Rural Team Ministry
  • Linda Nicholas - serving at St Peter’s Church, Ipsley
  • Jayne Parker - serving in the benefice of Pershore w Pinvin, Wick & Birlingham
  • Ben Somervell - serving at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill, Dudley
  • Esther Treasure - serving in the Dudley Team
  • Richard Wood - serving in the Worcester Southeast Team