New Fylde coast clergy to be ordained

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By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jun 2018, 16:19 BST
Updated 4th Jul 2018, 18:19 BST
The Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, front third from left and Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, front, second from right with the ordinands at Blackburn Cathedral ahead of this weekend's ordination ceremoniesThe Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, front third from left and Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, front, second from right with the ordinands at Blackburn Cathedral ahead of this weekend's ordination ceremonies
The Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, front third from left and Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, front, second from right with the ordinands at Blackburn Cathedral ahead of this weekend's ordination ceremonies

These are just some of the former or current jobs of the latest group of new priests and deacons set to be ordained this weekend by The Church of England in Lancashire.

The group of eight deacons and 11 priests is one more than in 2017 and the highest number since 2013,

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They are currently preparing to be ordained at Blackburn Cathedral this weekend by going on retreat at the Diocesan Retreat and Conference Centre at Whalley Abbey.

Most will be ordained at the cathedral, but Thomas Woolford will be ordained priest by the Bishop of Blackburn at Blackpool, Bispham All Hallows at 7.30pm on Sunday, while Aiden Edwards will be ordained priest by the Bishop of Burnley at St Annes Church in Oxford Road at 7.30pm on Monday.

The ages range from 29 to 68 and among the youngest candidates is deacon Chris Dingwall-Jones, who will serve at St Peter and St David, Fleetwood.

Others from the Fylde coast include Samuel Cheeseman of Anchorsholme All Saints, who will be ordained priest, deacon Emma Swarbrick of Blackpool Holy Trinity and St Peter, both in South Shore, and deacon Adam Thomas of Lytham St Cuthbert.

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Blackburn’s Bishop Julian said: “God is always asking, whom shall I send? So, it is a umbling moment for me as a Bishop to be able to ordain men and women who have responded to His call to serve His church.

"Every year we see a new group of men and women of all ages responding to God’s call to become a priest or deacon in His church. It is an exciting time for all of them and for their parishes.”

The Bishops will be joined at the services this weekend by The Dean of Blackburn, The Very Rev. Peter Howell-Jones; the Archdeacon of Blackburn, The Venerable Mark Ireland and the Archdeacon of Lancaster, The Venerable Michael Everitt, as well as representatives from parishes across Lancashire and family and friends of the ordination candidates.

Related topics:FyldeLancashire