As we pray for our ordinands who are getting ordained on 1 July, we wanted to feature some of the people responding to God's call.
Ten people are to be ordained in total - You can see the full list of names and where they will minister on our Pray for our Ordinands page
Each of those being ordained has their own unique story of how they came to hear the call from God to become ordained. We feature three of them below.
Amy Stevenson
Amy grew up in High Lane, near Stockport, with her parents and grandparents, where she attended St Thomas’ Church where she was confirmed and became an altar server before going to Durham University to study for a Masters in Mathematics. Whilst there Amy became College Chapel Clerk which gave her opportunities to work with the cathedral team on occasions. After graduating she then spent a year on the Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme with a benefice of 5 churches in rural Dorset followed by a further two years on a similar scheme with a church in Kettering, before beginning training at Westcott House, Cambridge.
Kate Pwaisiho
Kate, a Solomon islander is the youngest of 5 siblings. She arrived in the UK in August 1997 with her parents and 2 brothers to serve in the Diocese of Chester. Kate had the joy and honour of serving in youth ministry for the parishes of St Pancras, Plymouth, Zac's youth project, Bolton, All Saints church, Coventry and most recently, served her ordinal placement at the parish of St Philip & St James, Alderley Edge. It was during her final years of youth ministry that the desire to serve the wider context of ministry began to take root. Kate especially loves the outdoor lifestyle, camping, as well as photography and enjoys the joy of community living, fellowship and sharing.
Jill Williams
Jill spent most of her professional life in and around Bolton, holding various positions over the years in the NHS, ending up as head of healthcare in a prison. She trained to become a Reader with Manchester Diocese about ten years ago and since moving back to Audlem her ministry as a Reader has been very fulfilling. She has complete hearing loss but is able to communicate through lipreading and some help from her hearing dog Charley, who is an integral part of her life and the church.
Bishop's Adviser for Curate Development and Clergy Transitions, Revd Jenny Bridgman, says; "It's so exciting to see another cohort of deacons take this next step in their ministry and discipleship. Responding to God's call is always a lifelong journey, and looks different for each of us. As deacons, these men and women have a ministry of preaching and serving, with a particular call to "reach into the forgotten corners of the world, that the love of God may be made visible". I look forward to working with them as part of the shared ministry of the whole people of God in this diocese, sharing the love of Christ and making him known."