The Bishop of Newcastle ordained seven priests and three deacons during a big weekend at Newcastle Cathedral this summer.
It was a proud and memorable occasion for all involved, but for Hannah Malcolm, who will be serving her curacy in the parish of Christ the King, it was an extra-special experience.
Social media followers may have noticed Hannah’s Tweets in the aftermath of the service in which she confessed to be “wearing a borrowed shirt,” and that “my shirts didn’t show up, but my Bishop did.”
Hannah later revealed that when her eagerly-awaited attire didn’t turn up in time, she was kindly offered replacements by both Bishop Helen-Ann, and the Revd Dr Miriam Jones.
She explained: “I ended up wearing Bishop Helen-Ann's - on the ordination retreat she offered to lend me one, set herself a reminder, and brought a shirt to the Cathedral for me.”
The gestures of goodwill led to Hannah praising our “good diocese” in Tweets which were shared by Bishop Helen-Ann herself.
On the evening of the ordination, Hannah had the privilege of baptising her own daughter, following the birth of baby Evelyn back in March. The newborn was named after Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), the Christian philosopher, writer and teacher.
In her address to Diocesan synod, at Rothbury on 15th July, Bishop Helen-Ann described our new ordinands as a “source of much rejoicing.”
She added: “The three new deacons and seven priests beginning new seasons of ministry are signs of hope and beacons of light. Please pray for them particularly in these early weeks and months.”
Find out more about our new ordinands here: https://www.newcastle.anglican.org/petertide-ordinations-2023.php