What have a former professional wrestler, a Leeds nightclub doorman, a drummer in a band, a record producer and dressing as a turkey for the BBC at Christmas got in common?
These are just some of the paths our new deacons have walked on their way to ordination and will bring to their own ministry in some of our 656 churches and 248 church schools here in West Yorkshire and the Dales.
Growing the church in this the newest diocese in the Church of England is one of the four cornerstones of our vision and this Petertide we welcome 17 new deacons and 21 new priests – among them Craig Tomlinson.
Craig, a former Royal Engineer and professional wrestler will serve his curacy in Barnsley St Mary’s and St Paul’s when he is ordained by the diocesan bishop, Bishop Nick Baines in Ripon Cathedral on July 4.You can hear his story here.
You can also hear Dianne Gamble’s story.
She will be ordained into the church at York Minster by the Archbishop of York on July 5. A steam train driver, she has worked in the National Rail Museum in York for over 18 years. They both feature in short films just released by the Church of England to mark the arrival of around 1,000 new deacons and priests into ordained ministry this Petertide.
She will be ordained into the church at York Minster by the Archbishop of York on July 5. A steam train driver, she has worked in the National Rail Museum in York for over 18 years. They both feature in short films just released by the Church of England to mark the arrival of around 1,000 new deacons and priests into ordained ministry this Petertide.