54 clergy have joined churches across the Diocese of London following their ordination to the office of Deacon this week.
The office of Deacon is often a step on the path towards priesthood and follows two to three years of training. The new Deacons will be working in churches across the Diocese of London, serving their local communities and undertaking public worship, teaching and pastoral work. After a period of around a year, a Deacon is often ordained to the priesthood.
This is the fourth successive year that the Diocese has welcomed over 40 new Deacons to London’s churches, with a total of 54 being ordained. The new Deacons will serve across 45 churches in the capital.
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, said:
“It is an absolute joy to welcome 54 new clergy to the Diocese of London. This year’s ordinands have come from a wide array of backgrounds ranging from medicine to acting to policing, and I have no doubt that their unique experiences will serve to strengthen the diversity of the Diocese. I pray that God guides them in their ministry; as the last few years have shown us, we must not take for granted the vital role that clergy have at the heart of our communities, for those of Christian, other, or no faith. We’re very fortunate to have each and every one of them join us in celebrating and sharing the good news of Christ.”
Two Cities
Angela Sheard
“Being in the centre of London, the parish of St Martin’s is a meeting place for wealth and poverty, business and the arts, culture from this city and around the world. I am looking forward to being immersed in these many meeting places, and being part of a church which opens up space for encounter with God – that most essential meeting place – in the midst of it all.”
Kirstine Henderson
“I am so looking forward to continuing to serve at St Mary Bryanston Square where I completed by placement, be it through movie nights or offering pastoral support to our parish primary school. It is so special to be able to continue to build on the relationships I have struck over the past few years and seek to meet the needs of the community.”
The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, said:
“I am truly thrilled to welcome these six new Deacons into The Two Cities. The Two Cities is a unique place to serve, with many of its churches nestled in between some of the country’s most iconic buildings – or sometimes even being the iconic building itself. I pray they may flourish in their ministry and find their voice to speak of the love they have found in Jesus Christ.”
Stepney
Raff Vinhas Chaves
“I am excited to continue learning, serving and growing as a leader, and developing whatever is needed so I can be the best I can be to all those I come across. I will continue running the Recovery Ministry, helping those managing alcohol and substance abuse to find freedom and purpose in their lives through leading them to Jesus.
I think what will be most special, is continuing to support those in the area that are in recovery or still battling addiction, but this time around as an ordained minister. That in itself will show them that there’s hope, that I have come exactly from where they are, and that God has brought me this far, and sharing with them that what God has done to me and through me, He can and will do through them as well.”
Andrew Large
“Having moved to the neighbourhood following a sense of God’s call some twenty years ago and in that time having lived as an urban missionary, it will be a privilege to serve the parish as a curate
with the visibility, recognition and access that holding a public office and wearing a dog-collar will enable. St John’s Hoxton has great relationships with local charities, schools, businesses and organisations and I will seek to foster those relationships, as well as help develop discipleship within the church. St John’s is also a member institution of ‘Hackney & Islington Citizens’ and, as one of its founding local leaders, I look forward to continuing to engage with the local community through Citizens.”
The Bishop of Stepney, The Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell, said:
The Stepney area is a diverse and creative place to serve Christ and our communities. I am very much looking forward to working with these twelve newly-ordained Deacons across North and East London as they grow in their faith and as local leaders. I pray that God will strengthen them to take the next step in their journey serving God and their parishes or Bishop’s Mission Orders.”
Kensington
Fi Budden
“It is a such a gift to be able to stay on at St Mary Spring Grove in Hounslow, having been placed here during my ordination training. I’m looking forward to the broad range and diversity of ministry that this parish encompasses, from assisting with the clothing bank and other projects, to ministering in schools to pastoral care across the church’s community, not to mention increased opportunities for teaching and discipleship. When I heard about St Luke’s – a small mission church within the parish of St Mary’s, a hugely culturally diverse area of Hounslow – I knew straight away I wanted to minister there. Through my placement, I have been involved in starting a gardening project and clothing bank at St Luke’s. These have both opened up spaces for dialogue with local communities, which we hope to build on.”
John Hillman
“Stanwell is an area of deprivation, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how I can help by working with the local people and engaging in mission in the area, and also through assisting at the local foodbank. I’m really looking forward to doing God’s work in Ashford and Stanwell, a new challenge after policing the capital.”
The Bishop of Kensington, The Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome these twenty ordinands, with all their different stories of God’s grace and calling, to the Kensington Area of the Diocese of London. They are a great gift to the church here, and will bring their gifts and energy to strengthen the mission of the church in this hugely diverse part of London, as they serve its neighbourhoods, people and churches.”
Edmonton
Paul Ellerby
“London is a diverse city and it is exciting to be ordained as a Deacon with a group of people who truly represent all of the rich diversity we find here. If we can each show Jesus to be real in the places and contexts where we serve then with God’s help we can make London an even better place to live.”
(With training incumbent Fr Chrichton Limbert)
The Bishop of Edmonton, The Rt Revd Rob Wickham, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome all eleven newly-ordained Deacons to the Edmonton Area. I have no doubt that they will be an asset to their churches and local neighbourhood for many years to come, each bringing their own unique set of experiences to the role. I pray that Jesus continues to guide them on their journey and that they work for the betterment of their communities.”
Willesden
Ruth Robinson
“I am looking forward to spending the summer getting to know people, both in the church and in the area where we will be living. After the pandemic, I have realised how life-giving it is to be able to be a Christian in community with others that is not just limited to Zoom!
I love being able to come alongside others to listen to their stories both happy and sad and encourage them in their journey of faith, wherever they are in that journey. My curacy church supports a missional community that work on a local estate, so I am excited to see how I can be involved in supporting them and engaging with the community there. As a mum of twins, I am also looking forward to getting to know other parents and carers in the area through the church’s weekly toddler group.”
The Bishop of Willesden, The Rt Revd Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, said:
“I am overjoyed to welcome five new clergy to the Willesden family. Their wide range of backgrounds and interests is testament to the fantastic diversity of the Willesden Area. This is my first series of ordinations as Bishop of Willesden, and I very much look forward to working with them as they serve their parishes and local communities in the years to come.”
For the full list of names of those who were ordained please visit this page.