Congratulations to our ordinands who will become deacons and priests this Petertide.
Ordinations will take place on Saturday 28 June, Sunday 29 June and Tuesday 1 July at Newcastle Cathedral with six people being ordained as priests and five as deacons.
Our soon-to-be deacons will be serving their titles in parishes across our Diocese – please give them a warm welcome if you see them in your parish. Our new priests, who began ordained ministry as deacons last year, will continue to serve their existing parishes as curates.
You can find out more about each of our ordinands below...
Deacons
Fran Bell
To serve at St. Michael's & St. Paul's Alnwick
Fran is currently Church Development Officer for the Diocese of Lincoln but after studying part-time at St. Hild College, she is excited to start a new adventure in the north east.
Emily Emmerson-Finch
To serve at Holy Saviour Tynemouth
Emily first felt called to ordination as a teenager during a visit to her school’s career advisor but put off exploring this calling until her mid-twenties when she felt God nudging her to consider discernment.
Yvonne Gardner
To serve St. John's Killingworth
After many years as a nurse, upon retirement, Yvonne felt God was not yet finished with her. This lead to her taking on the role of volunteer hospital chaplain and it was here she felt unexpectedly called to ordination.
Phil Keates
To serve at St. Mary Magdalene Prudhoe
After 20 years serving through lay ministry, Phil was becoming increasingly aware that he felt called to parish ministry. Studying at Lindisfarne College, he particularly enjoyed his placements where he was able to join people on their journey towards Jesus.
Andy Morsman
To serve the parish of Alston Moor.
Andy had been enjoying serving as a reader in recent years but after many suggestions from friends who suggested his calling may in fact lie in ordained ministry, he undertook an extended period of discernment. This lead him to study at Lindisfarne College.
Priests
James Bartle
It has been a real joy for James to get involved in parish life during his deacon's year serving the benefice Horton and Newsham in Blyth, particularly enjoying working with children and youth in the area. As he looks towards ordination, James is excited to celebrating mass for the first time as a Priest.
Deborah Ehala
Deborah’s year as a deacon has been full of challenges and joys as she has served in her home parish of Newbiggin St. Bartholomew’s. She has felt God walking beside her as she has ministered in a variety of different contexts including baptisms, funerals and at local schools. Deborah feels privileged to be being ordained as a priest and looks forward to seeing what God has in store for her next.
Jon Grogan
What a year! John has loved serving his deacon's year at St. John's Percy Main and St. Peter's Balkwell, particularly building relationships with local communities. He hopes that following ordination he continues to feel that he is exactly where God wants him to be.
Lee Kirkby
Lee has had an incredible year serving at St. Thomas' and is thankful to have been part of building God's kingdom here in Newcastle, particularyl among the younger generation. As he looks forward to presiding at Eucharist for the first time, Lee prays that people continue to meet Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
Claire Lewis
Claire has really enjoyed her year as deacon at St. Mary's Monkseaton; getting to know her congregation and parish and seeing God move in this place.
Francesca Walsh