Archbishop to ordain 14 deacons on 1st July

The Diocese of York is the Church of England from the Yorkshire coast westwards to the A1 and from the River Tees southwards to the River Humber.

Aged from 24 to 65 and including six women and eight men, the list of candidates demonstrates the diversity of those whom God is calling to serve as ordained ministers. Candidates are ordained Deacon for the first year of their ministry and usually then ordained Priest, at which point they are able to celebrate Holy Communion and the other Sacraments of the Church.

The new Deacons are listed below with the names of the parishes in which they will serve.

Anna Burr: Fulford (York). Aged 49 and married to Alister with two children, Anna worked as a Money Advice Worker for the Citizens Advice Bureau before training on the Northern Ordination Course.

Michael Cadwallader: Hull St Aidans. Aged 51 with two children and formerly a Secondary School Teacher, Michael trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham.

Philip Carman: Acomb St Stephen (York). Aged 27 and married to Rebecca with one daughter, Philip trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham.

Oliver Coss: Cottingham (Hull). Aged 24 and engaged to marry Eleanor later this year, Oliver trained at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield.

Gail Dalley: Pocklington group. Aged 53 and married to Richard with one grown-up son, Gail trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham.

Jonathan Dean: Great Ayton. Aged 50 and married to Josephine with three children, Jon formerly worked in the chemical industry and now works in the Hospice movement, and trained with the North East Oecumenical Course (NEOC).

Stephen Drury: Seamer (Scarborough). Aged 62 and married to Judith with three grown-up children. A retired solicitor, Stephen trained at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield.

Josephine Evetts-Secker: Hinderwell group. Aged 65 and married to John with two grown-up children. A retired university professor and Jungian analyst, Josephine trained at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield.

Fiona Harrison-Smith: Redcar. Aged 32 and married to Martin. A children's worker and music maker, Fiona trained at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield.

Ben Norton: Bridlington Emmanuel. Aged 27 and married to Rebecca with one son, Ben is studying on the Mixed-Mode course at St. John's College, Nottingham.

Joanna Parker: Pocklington group. Aged 43 and married to Ian with two children. Formerly a midwife, Joanna trained on the Northern Ordination Course.

Keith Stephenson: Holy Trinity, Hull. Aged 45 and married to Judith. A Finance Director at the University of Hull, Keith trained with the North East Oecumenical Course (NEOC).

Sarah Walsh: Waggoners Benefice (Cowlam, Fimber, Fridaythorpe, Sledmere, Thixendale and Wetwang). Aged 46 with one daughter. A piano teacher, Sarah trained with the North East Oecumenical Course (NEOC).

Stephen Wilcox: Kirk Ella and Willerby (Hull). Aged 42 and married to Alice with one son, Stephen trained at Oak Hill College in north London.

Note for Editors: there will be no facility for photography during the service. Photographs of the candidates with the Archbishop may be taken when they emerge from the Minster's west door at the end of the service (approx 11.45am - 12.00 noon), weather permitting. PLEASE CONTACT YORK MINSTER'S MEDIA CO-ORDINATOR, ALIX PEACOCK, ON 01904 557216.


ENDS

For further information contact Martin Sheppard, Diocesan Communications Officer, on York (01904) 699530.

martin.sheppard@yorkdiocese.org