| ORDINATION OF DEACONS AND PRIESTS | 23rd Jun 2009 | Download | Email to a Friend |
ORDINATION OF DEACONS AND PRIESTS
AT COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
SATURDAY 4th and SUNDAY 5th JULY 2009
Photocall and Interviews on the Cathedral steps 2pm on Wednesday 2nd July
The Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Doctor Christopher Cocksworth, will ordain 11 Deacon Candidates, on Sunday 5th July at 10.30. The evening before, The Bishop of Warwick, the Right Revd John Stroyan will ordain 9 Priest candidates at 7.00pm. Both services will be held in Coventry Cathedral.
Those to be ordained Priests are already serving in parishes having been ordained as Deacons last September and the Deacons are at the start of their ordained ministry. There are three levels of ordained ministry in the Church of England - Deacons, Priests and Bishops. Clergy are ordained first as Deacons and usually follow this with ordination as Priests a year later.
New full time stipendiary (paid) clergy will serve a curacy for their first three or four years - a continuation of their training. Non-stipendiary (unpaid) clergy will work in a variety of roles, dependent upon the needs of the parish to which they will serve. The new Deacons will adopt the title “The Reverend…” after their ordination.
DEACON CANDIDATES
Stella Bailey St Mary, Walsgrave-on-Sowe
I was born in Northampton and brought up in Daventry where I started to go to church at the age of 11 because I was bored one Sunday morning. I moved to Coventry in 1989 and throughout my teenage years attended various churches in the city including St Michael’s Stoke and St James Fletchamstead. After attending university in Birmingham where I studied Theology, I returned to the city as a Police Officer based at Fletchamstead Highway police station, working mainly in the areas of Earlsdon and ending my career as the neighbourhood officer for Finham. I really enjoyed my 8 years as a Police Officer and would not have left the Job for anything else, but the constant call deeply felt from God that I should serve him within ordained ministry was something I could no longer avoid.
I look forward to building on and transferring many skills I learnt in the Police into Ministry. In some ways the work is very similar with both roles dealing with people at times of pain and crisis as well as the joys of building up relationships with people and being immersed in the local community, the difference being that one comes with handcuffs and the other with a dog collar.
Since starting training at Ripon College Cuddesdon I miss the adrenaline rush of the odd scuffle but have managed to replace that with my love for Kayaking, Canoeing, Northamptonshire County Cricket and most importantly watching Aston Villa play. Hopefully the people of Coventry will forgive me for this passion and club rivalry will not cause too much division in the church!
Greg Bartlem Christ Church, Cheylesmore
I was born in Coventry (1968) growing up in the Styvechale area of the city and attending Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School. Whilst my parents were not churchgoers I started attending church at around 8 with neighbours, and made a commitment of faith aged 11. As I grew up my Christian faith became increasingly relevant and in my later teens I went from attending the local church youth group to helping to lead it. As the years rolled by I worked in retail to earn a living whilst at the same time I led all kinds of youth events and activities.
Soon I was taken on as the Youth Worker at Holy Trinity in Coventry, where I studied in my spare time for a youth work degree course. It was during this time that I made contact with many of the young people often referred to as ‘The Goths’ that gather in the city centre. A small group of whom wandered into one of our church services because they were bored, cold and thirsty. Having given them some hot chocolate, I felt able to make available to them our church centre as a new meeting place (away from the rain) on the proviso that I came with it. That night those young people visited the Church Centre, and afterwards came over to the church service with me.
My experience of working with the Goths has helped me to realise that community exists outside of the church walls (as well as inside) and I see my forthcoming role as an ordained person, is to join some of these communities and help them to ask some of life’s big questions, to engage with Christianity in a way that befits their own context.
Wendy Biddington (OLM) St Peter, Wellsbourne
I was brought up in the village of Cherhill in Wiltshire and educated both locally and for five years at a boarding school in Somerset. I then spent six formative months in East Africa helping in a clinic on a tea plantation before training as a nurse in Bristol. It was here that I met my husband and we married in 1973. His work as a research scientist brought us to Wellesbourne where I became a District Nurse and Midwife. Through my work I got to know many of the families in the village while at the same time becoming involved with St Peter’s Church.
Living among some very special people helped my faith grow but I didn’t know how God wanted me to use it. Nearly thirty years on with two grown boys and after a varied career in the health service I became aware of ordained local ministry (OLM). I realized this was where God was taking me and following much discussion and prayer I embarked on the three year training, which brings me to where I am now.
I will continue my ministry in Wellesbourne, predominantly amongst the young families in the community. It is an exciting yet daunting time but my husband and family are very supportive. To relax I like walking, singing with our local choral society, and enjoy meals with friends around the kitchen table.
Graham Coles St Mary Magdalene, Lillington
Preparing for ordination has allowed me to reflect on this special and momentous occasion in my life. It has had consequences for my wife of 26 years and my four children and it has bonded us in a way that is unique to us as a family.
The impact it will have on us all for the future will be challenging, exciting and very hard work I am sure, but with God's help I know that He will provide the support we need to adapt to this new life.
I was born in a village on the outskirts of Coventry nearly 50 years ago and with hard-working parents, was raised with a strong work ethic, which probably did not expect a requirement to advance to higher education after school.
Thus I entered into an engineering role and eventually ran my own Gas and Plumbing business which was very successful, (my son has now taken over the business).
Throughout my childhood, teenage and early adult years, I maintained a secret desire to eventually enter into a ministerial role, but without a university education felt sure that I was being unrealistic, yet God's call for me to serve Him in this way never faltered.
Thus after several years of 'learning to be an academic' I was finally accepted by Coventry Diocese for ordained ministry.
I am very much looking forward to my ordination and am itching to 'get on with the job' as a new Curate in Lillington.
My hobbies include mountain walking, classic cars and family time with our lovely black labrador called Holly, whom I'm sure, will become a firm favourite within the parish!
James Hill (NSM) Holy Trinity Coventry
If you ask me where I’m from I may not be able to give you a straight answer! I was born in London but spent much of my formative years in Western Canada. This enabled many friendships to be made but also left me with the bittersweet feeling of being homeless. It wasn’t until I joined the Anglican Church that I felt I had come ‘home.’
I spent most of my life in an evangelical/charismatic church but now I’m also finding life and energy in many other expressions of the Church including both the Orthodox and Catholic Church. Diversity is an essential element of a life of faith and the main reason why being Anglican makes the most sense, i.e. its ability to draw on other traditions while remaining true to itself.
I grew up learning to play the piano and eventually transferred some of that knowledge to the drums. I taught both for a number of years while at University studying maths. Having played in various bands during University it was a natural step for me to travel across Canada with a group of storytellers, musicians, actors and singers. The message we troubadours took with us was a message of reconciliation – themes close to the City of Coventry’s heart. Keeping with the international theme I ended up working for four years in two Anglican Churches in France and Switzerland before training for ordained ministry at Ridley Hall in Cambridge.
I enjoy theology, listening and playing music, cooking, travel, coffee and films. Married to Anna, we are expecting our first child in mid-August!
Hilary Iredale (NSM) Rugby Team Ministry
I was born in Worcester into a loving, noisy household comprising my parents (Geoff and Dora Phelps), three older brothers and two cats. We worshipped together at Charles Street Gospel Hall, where I was baptised and my faith took root. After leaving the Girls Grammar School I trained at Guy’s Hospital Medical School London; graduating as a doctor in 1983.
Working in Peterborough, Bury St. Edmunds, Cuckfield and St George’s, London, I trained as an anaesthetist gaining my F.R.C.A in 1990. During this time I married Mike, who is now a Consultant physician at University Hospital, Coventry. The early years of our married life were busy, moving around the country with Mike’s job and having our four children; I took an extended career break to be with them and occupied myself running parent and toddler groups, helping in schools and also in church leadership.
We moved to Rugby in 1996, where I became a member of St. Matthew’s church and was confirmed into the Anglican Church. After a brief return to anaesthesia, working in Coventry and Rugby, it was time to explore an inner yearning to serve God in the church in a more formal way; as a result of which I’ve spent the last three years at Queen’s Ecumenical Ministerial Foundation training for ordination.
My life has been a journey of an ever increasing awareness and wonder of the greatness of God’s all inclusive love and grace which I long to help the Church share.
Stuart Labran Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon
Born in West Bromwich, I first thought about ordination at the tender age of 8 as an altar server. Later I became a chorister but wasn’t sure whether my career path would lead towards being a priest or a zoologist!
I began to feel a strong sense of vocation to ministry from the age of 15 and subsequently studied Theology at Leeds University. After completing my degree I did a PGCE and taught RE and Music in Harpenden, Hertfordshire before moving to Princethorpe College, where I was Director of Boarders, Senior Resident Tutor and Deputy Head of Sixth Form.
After exploring the possibility of a monastic life I later decided to offer myself for ordination, studying at Westcott House in Cambridge and at Clare College for an MPhil in Theology.
I am looking forward to my new ministry in Stratford where I will have a particular responsibility for developing youth and school involvement.
Matthew Pittam Leamington, All Saints and Holy Trinity
I was born in Bedworth in Warwickshire and went to local schools. After leaving school I trained as a Social Worker, specialising in Mental Health. I worked in Rugby before becoming an Assistant Team Manager in Coventry.
I am married to Claire and have a daughter, Lucy who is 2.5 years old.
I became a Christian as a teenager and was baptised and confirmed on Trinity Sunday 1995. I first attended All Saints, Bedworth, before moving to the Parish of St John the Baptist, Coventry. I moved to Leamington in 2007 as part of my training and am the Lay Curate at All Saints and Holy Trinity.
In ministry I have a particular interest in chaplaincy within the night time economy and I set up NightLight, which is a ministry which runs from midnight to 4am every Friday. We run a street cafe for all who are about in Leamington at Night (mainly students and young people). I also have an interest in promoting the historic spirituality of the Christian faith and helped to run a Christian Mysticism fair and also visit other fairs with a stand from All Saints Church.
Joy Sharpe (OLM) St Mark, Bilton
I was born in Rugby and have lived here all of my life except for three years spent studying in Nottingham.
I have been a member of St. Mark’s congregation for most of my life, starting as a child at Sunday school, progressing through confirmation and then joining the choir as one of the first females. I am now hanging up my choir robe as my role changes.
I have been involved with the church in many ways, both in worship and as a member of Diocesan and Deanery Synods and other committees and I am a member of the Ministry Leadership Team.
My husband and I were married at St. Mark’ s and both of our daughters, now adults, were baptised and confirmed there.
I spent the whole of my working life teaching in Rugby. When I retired I thought I would be involved at church as before, but with more leisure. But God had other ideas!
After three years of theological study I am returning to St. Mark’s to join the clergy team as a curate, to take up the part time task of being a non-stipendiary minister, one who has been ‘home-grown’ and will continue to serve in my home parish. That is what it means to be an Ordained Local Minister. It was important for me, when I realised that God was calling me to be a priest, and that call was confirmed by others, that I should serve the parish of St. Mark’s, where I have been nurtured for so many years, to help to nurture others in my turn.
Judy Stote (OLM) Studley and Mappleborough Green
I was born in Smethwick in the West Midlands, the second of four children in a working class family. Educated at grammar school until 16 years old and then worked in an industrial laboratory as a chemical analyst with day release study at Dudley technical college.
Married to Roger in 1969 at 18 years old, I continued to study chemistry at Wolverhampton polytechnic whilst working as a school laboratory technician until leaving to have a family. We are celebrating our ruby wedding anniversary in August this year. We have 3 children aged 34, 32 and 25 yrs and 2 small grandchildren.
When the children were grown up, I began full time administration work in Roger’s new business. As the business grew, despite qualifications in their own individual fields, each of our children joined us and are contributing to its continuing growth.
We were in our late 30’s when we joined the church adjacent to our home and became increasing involved before being confirmed as Christians a couple of years later.
A few years further on, Roger became deputy warden and I trained as a Reader; licensed in 2005 but then sensing a call to ordained ministry which was affirmed by my vicar and others.
In my spare time I enjoy puzzles and quizzes, reading, musical theatre, handicrafts and spending time with family and friends.
As a Deacon I hope to strengthen the church’s link with our local primary school and generally become an increasing presence in the community.
Becky Welch Cathedral Church of St Michael
I grew up in Camberley, Surrey and moved to the Midlands for University, where I studied Biochemistry at Leicester. A gap year took me to Leamington Spa, where I worked for a Christian charity. My following two jobs were also in charities: CPAS and Careforce. At CPAS I coordinated the marketing and publicity for youth and children's holidays. At Careforce I had a regional role, supporting volunteers and their supervisors who were working in churches and projects.
I had a key encounter with God aged 17 while on holiday with a youth group. I prayed that Jesus would help me know him, not just hear about him from other people. If he really was alive and was the Lord, could I know him? I told him how sorry I was for not treating him right and for all I'd done wrong. I wanted him to have his say in my life. I felt God's love for me, including an experience of warmth and the impression that he was saying 'I accept you'.
A call to ordination came gradually after university. There were many moments through other people, through prayer and reading the Bible, going on retreat or at seminars when God was calling.
I'm looking forward to getting to know Coventry. I enjoy films, swimming and being outdoors, going for walks and photography. I love having meals with people and visiting new places. I look forward to getting to know people at the cathedral and across the city. I'm excited by how much God loves people and look forward to seeing Him transforming lives.
PRIEST CANDIDATES
Richard Bromley (NSM) St Bartholomew, Binley, Coventry
Philip Mark Bullock Coventry East Team
Richard Alexander Burley St Mark, Bilton
Eleanor (Ellie) Clack St Mark,Leamington
Lynnette Clarke (OLM) St Christopher, Allesley Park
Peter Den Haan Bedworth Team
Clive Hogger St James, Fletchamstead, Coventry
Mary Kent (NSM) St James, Alveston
Margaret Simmons (NSM) Leamington Hastings, Willoughby, Grandborough and Flecknoe.
ENDS
*Non–Stipendiary Minister…..Receives no salary from the Church.
* Ordained Local Minister........Licensed by the Bishop to minister within his/her own locality. They receive no salary from the Church
FOR INITIAL CONTACT
Mervyn Roberts
01926 426922 / 07966 535 365
The Revd Canon Mervyn Roberts
Director of Communications
Email: mervyn.roberts@covcofe.org