Deacons-to-be commissioning service

A service to commission 23 deacons-to-be to public ministry in their title parishes in the Diocese of Chester will take place on Thursday 02 July at 7pm.

Family, friends, and parishioners - past and present – are invited to join in via Zoom or Facebook to support, pray and mark this moment. 

The service will be led by Bishop Keith, Bishop of Birkenhead, with Bishop Mark Tanner, Bishop-elect of Chester also taking part. 

Prayers will be led by Revd Canon David Herbert, Continuing Ministry Development Officer in the diocese, and a homily will be given by the Revd Canon Sarah Fenby, Diocesan Director of Vocations.

In normal times this year's cohort of ordination candidates would have been made deacon in July at Chester Cathedral, but the restrictions on public worship have meant that they will simply be commissioned into public ministry without formally being conferred the title deacon. That will now take place in the Autumn when it is hoped family, friends and parishioners can worship and celebrate together in person.

There are a total of 23 deacons-to-be this year, 11 men and 12 women. They will be commissioned on Thursday 02 July and then ordained deacon in Chester Cathedral on Sunday 25 October 2020.