23/06/2023
Ten women and men with varied stories of God's call to serve will be ordained Deacon by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, in York Minster on Saturday 1st July in a service beginning at 4pm. The preacher will be the Revd Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah, Bishop's Adviser For Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Affairs in the Diocese of Blackburn.
The service will be livestreamed on the internet via www.yorkminster.org.
Deacons are called to work in the community and assist in church; each candidate will serve as Assistant Curate in a parish within the Diocese of York, the Church of England between the Rivers Humber and Tees and between the A1 and the Yorkshire coast.
The ten are aged from 26 to 64, and will continue their training in service alongside an experienced priest; some will be ordained priest themselves in the future.
Archbishop Stephen said, “I've loved hearing the different stories each of these candidates tells about the ways God is calling them - by surprise or over many years, through moments of joy or sometimes in the midst of great pain - and it's a privilege to share their excitement in answering that call.
“As deacons they will be heralds of the gospel and servants of those they meet and whose lives they touch; I'll be praying for them as they set off on these next steps in their journey, living Christ's story in the communities they are called to serve.”
Details of the deacons to be and where they will serve can be found below. Biographies of the candidates can be viewed here on the Diocese of York website.
Marion Barella will serve as Assistant Curate at St Paul and St Barnabas, York.
James Cawdell will serve as Assistant Curate at St Barnabas, Linthorpe (Middlesbrough).
Simon Clark will serve as Assistant Curate in Easington with Skeffling, Keyingham, Ottringham, Patrington, Welwick, and Winestead.
Elaine Curry will serve as Assistant Curate at Holy Trinity Church, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough.
Heather Groocock will serve as Assistant Curate at Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe.
Dr Sam Mawer will serve as Assistant Curate at St Nicholas, Guisborough.
Mairi Taylor-Gibson will serve as Assistant Curate at Holy Redeemer, Acomb and at Nether and Upper Poppleton, York.
Charlie Shefford will serve as Assistant Curate at Beverley St John and St Martin (Beverley Minster) with Routh All Saints.
Julia Staves will serve as Assistant Curate at Brompton with Deighton, East & West Rounton and Welbury.
Donneta Thomas will serve as Assistant Curate at Northallerton with Kirby Sigston.
