The first cathedral ordination services have taken place for deacons who will serve in parishes across the new diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. Twelve men and women have become curates in parishes across the diocese – and at the same time received the title ‘Reverend’ - at services held on Sunday June 29th at Ripon and Bradford Cathedrals. A further ten new deacons were ordained on Saturday July 5th at Wakefield Cathedral.
Bishop James Bell, the area Bishop for the Ripon Episcopal Area, (pictured centre above) led the Ripon Cathedral service which began with each ordinand being introduced to the congregation by a close friend or family member.
Left to right: Mark Harlow who trained at Ridley Hall Cambridge, has gone as a curate to St George’s Leeds; Viv Masters described as ‘a mother of two and grandmother of six’ will serve her title place at Kippax with Allerton Bywater Team Ministry; Linda Robinson trained on the Yorkshire Ministry Course and will serve her title at Bedale, Leeming and Thornton Watless; Richard Nolan, introduced as ‘a former semi-professional rugby player and top Harrogate solicitor’ also trained on the Yorkshire Ministry course and will serve at St Peter’s Harrogate; Sharon Brown trained on the Yorkshire Ministry Course and her curacy will be served at the Abbeylands Team Ministry; Chris Lawton trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham and has become a curate at Leyburn and Bellarby.
During the service the ordinands made their promises and knelt as the Bishop and congregation prayed for their future ministry. They were then ‘vested’ in stoles and each received the gift of a Bible before being greeted with warm applause from the large Cathedral congregation of friends, supporters, fellow clergy and members of the churches where they will serve.
On July 5th, ten more ordinands were ordained as deacons at Wakefield Cathedral
With Bishop Tony Robinson (centre) are Sarah Farrimond (Birkby St Cuthbert and Birchencli?e); Simon Crook (Hudders?eld St Peter); Stephen Rochell (Hartshead, Hightown, Robertown and Scholes); Valerie Keating (Batley and Purlwell); Heather Thurlow (Dewsbury Team); Katherine Currie (High Hoyland, Scissett and Clayton West); Debbie Horsfall (South Ossett); Charlene Smith (Meltham Christ the King); ); Andreas Wenzel (Horbury with Horbury Bridge); Miguel Sanchez (Elland).
Bishop Tom Butler (pictured below centre) led the service at Bradford Cathedral.
With Bishop Tom and the Very Revd Jerry Lepine are , (left to right):
John Butler, who will serve in the parishes of Heaton, St. Barnabas and Heaton, St. Martin, after training on the Yorkshire Ministry Course; Steve Proudlove, who will serve in the parish of All Saints, Ilkley, after training for ordination at Ridley Hall College; Julie Bacon, who trained on the Yorkshire Ministry Course and will serve as curate in the parish of St Peter’s, Shipley; Catherine Thatcher who trained at Westcott House and will serve her title at Bradford Cathedral; Ben Randall, who trained at Ridley Hall in Cambridge and will serve his curacy at St Lawrence and St Paul, Pudsey and Jenny Ramsden, who will serve in the parishes of East Riddlesden and East Morton having trained for ordination with the Yorkshire Ministry Course.
Twenty four curates are ordained as priests
Meanwhile twenty-four priests have been ordained over Petertide at Bradford Cathedral, Wakefield Cathedral or in their own parishes.
Pictured with Bishop Tom Butler at Bradford Cathedral are Left to right: Beverley Sproats; Heather Houlton; Sandi Neale; Frances Grasham; Malcolm Hendry; Joanne Hustwick; Ian Widdowson; Christopher Phillips.