Twenty new deacons have been ordained at services in the Diocese of Oxford, marking the beginning of their ordained ministry as they prepare to serve churches and communities across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Two services at Christ Church Cathedral on 4 July saw Bishop Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester, and Bishop Dave Bull, Bishop of Buckingham, ordain nineteen deacons. The first service took place earlier, on Pentecost Sunday, at St Mary's Church, Iffley, where Bishop Steven Croft ordained Jane Barlow as deacon in his final ordination service before retiring as Bishop of Oxford.
Together, the new deacons will now begin serving their curacies in parishes across the diocese, accompanying people through every stage of life while leading worship, preaching the gospel and sharing God's love in their local communities.
Reflecting on the significance of ordination, Bishop Gavin Collins said:
"Ordination is a joyful and profound moment in the life of the Church, as these new deacons respond to God’s call and commit themselves to serve his people. We give thanks for their varied journeys of faith and vocation, and we pray that in their ministry they will know the presence and strength of the Holy Spirit as they begin this next chapter of service across our diocese."
Bishop Dave Bull offered this prayer for the newly ordained:
“Lord Jesus Christ, you called your first disciples to follow you by the Sea of Galilee. We pray for those responding to the same call by being ordained in the Diocese of Oxford. Pour out your Spirit on them, that they may follow you faithfully and bring new life to others in your name. Amen.”
The newly ordained come from a remarkable range of backgrounds, including science, education, healthcare, youth ministry, charity leadership, pharmaceuticals, journalism and international mission. Many describe long journeys of discernment, with God's call becoming clearer over many years through prayer, encouragement from others and experiences of serving in their local churches.
Among those ordained are former youth workers, teachers, researchers, musicians, pastoral chaplains and scientists. Several have overcome significant personal challenges, including bereavement, illness and major life changes, discovering through those experiences a deeper confidence in God's faithfulness and a growing desire to serve others.
Their ministries will reflect the diversity of the communities they will serve. Some are passionate about children, young people and families, others about pastoral care, worship, evangelism, intercultural ministry or supporting those on the margins of society. Together they share a desire to help people encounter Jesus Christ and know the hope, love and peace found in him.
The new priests
Please continue to pray for all those ordained this year as they begin their curacies across the Diocese of Oxford, and for the churches and communities they will now serve.
From the Archdeaconry of Oxford
- Anna Cross, to serve at Oxford Saint Andrew
- Ali Redi, to serve at Oxford Saint Miachel and Saint Martin and All Saints
- Jane Barlow, to serve at Iffley
From the Archdeaconry of Dorchester
- Richard Crane, to serve at Henley-on-Thames Holy Trinity
- Jane Collins, to serve at Goring and Streatley with South Stoke
- Isaac Alun-Jones, to serve at Ironstone
- Rachel Bell, to serve at Hanborough and Freeland
- Robin Emmanuel, to serve at North Abingdon
- Sarah Farrington, to serve at Wallingford
- Dave Pizzey to serve at Witney
From the Archdeaconry of Berkshire
- Connor Heath, to serve in Ascot Heath
- Madhuri Kulkarni, to serve in Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham
From the Archdeaconry of Buckinghamshire
- Neil Bowles, to serve in Schorne
- Lara Deen, to serve in Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes
- Heather Ford-Lark, to serve in South Chilterns
- Lindsay Hall, to serve in
- Rowena Harrison, to serve in High Wycombe
- Lillie Jenkins, to serve in Cottesloe
- Virginia Kagunda, to serve in Wolverton
- Matthew Rayner, to serve in Hazlemere
Read more about their journey to ordained ministry. Follow the diocesan Facebook page to see photos from the weekend.