Fifteen new deacons are to be ordained in a series of services at Lichfield Cathedral this Saturday (26 September).
The new curates, who have completed either two or three years of training, were due to be ordained earlier in the summer but were unable to due to lockdown.
They were licensed as lay workers via Zoom in June instead and will now be ordained by the Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, at the cathedral in four services with limited numbers of invited guests at each one in line with current Covid-19 restrictions.
The deacons each have a unique pathway to calling into parish ministry with a wealth of backgrounds in areas such as teaching, social care, residential and care homes, with one working as a Mercedes Benz vehicle technician and one in HMV!
They will serve in parish ministry in a variety of churches and settings across Lichfield Diocese in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, the Black Country and Shropshire including several in non-stipendiary (self-supporting) roles. More detail about each of the new ordinands is at https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/ordinations-2020/
Diocesan Ministry Training Enabler Jeanette Hartwell said: “As always, the richness of background, personalities and gifts in this year’s new curates is wonderful. This has been an unusual year as they have begun ministry in lockdown situations as their churches work out what it means to be people of hope in these strange and uncertain times. We rejoice that they can finally come together to celebrate their ordinations in the cathedral this weekend.
“In our ever-changing world, we need people who can serve God and share the Good News of Jesus in their communities, workplaces and local churches in fresh and creative ways. If you would like to explore how God may be calling you to serve in a new way please get in touch with angela.bruno@lichfield.anglican.org“
After Sunday’s services, last year’s intake of curates are set to be ‘priested’ at services in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Shrewsbury, Cheadle and West Bromwich on Monday and Tuesday, 28 and 29 September. More details are here. Because of the current restrictions, attendance at the services is also by invite only.
All of the services will be streamed on this website and on Facebook.