Ordination services with a difference have been held across the Diocese of Carlisle – the Church of England in Cumbria - as COVID restrictions forced changes.

Three separate Ordination of Deacons services were held at Carlisle Cathedral on Saturday, each with a maximum of 30 people in attendance.

In a first for the Diocese, all three were livestreamed to the diocesan and cathedral Facebook pages. They can also be viewed on the Diocese’s YouTube channel.

Those Deaconed were:

Bishop James said: “This year, while we’ve had to do things differently, the ordinations remained a joyful celebration. We may have been smaller in number, in person, but it was wonderful to know that friends and family were able to join with us all for this special time via our livestreams. Our prayers will continue to be with all those ordained over the last few days and indeed with those to be ordained in coming weeks.”

The seven will serve in mission communities across Cumbria, which are cross-denominational groupings of churches with mission at their centre.

Bishop Emma added: “It was a wonderful privilege to be able to spend time with all of our ordinands in a virtual retreat beforehand and to celebrate alongside them as they step out on their journey of ordained ministry. Each service was marked by a sense of intimacy and reverence. They were all extremely moving.”

A Deacon is one of the orders of ministry, to which all clergy in the Church of England are admitted. Some remain Deacons all their lives but most are ordained priest usually a year after being ordained a Deacon.Deacons have a full ministry in the Church of England but unlike priests, cannot preside at the Eucharist, pronounce the absolution or pronounce the Trinitarian blessing. Deacons focus on a servant ministry, particularly to the poor and marginalised.

Meanwhile there were also three Ordinations of Priests services, all held in the ordinands’ home churches. Again COVID restrictions limited the number of people who could attend.

Those ordained Priest were:

Madeline Simpson to serve the Benefice of Ulverston

Craig Bentley to serve the Benefice of Natland and the Benefice of Old And New Hutton

Fran Parkinson to serve the Benefice of High Westmorland

And in coming weeks the following shall also be ordained Priest at services in their home churches:

Peter Dixon to serve the Benefice of Holme Eden andWetheral

Duncan Jackson to serve the Benefice of Egremont and Haile

Deacons’ Summary Profiles

Lawrence Basham – Keswick Mission Community

Yorkshireman Lawrence, 48, moves to the Diocese of Carlisle from the Wharfedale area of Otley and Ilkley. Having run three successful greengrocers, he chose to give the businesses up when he came to faith in his mid-30s, becoming the Director of Youth, Children’s and Families’ Ministry at All Saints, Ilkley, before training for ordination at the Sheffield campus of St Hild College. Married to Jemma, the couple has four young children: Hope, 9, twins Joy and Judah, 5, and two-year-old Iva. The family has deep connections with Cumbria and they have holidayed in the Lake District for the past three years. Lawrence is also a keen mountain walker and fell runner.

The following verse has had particular resonance for Lawrence during his training for ordination: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12: 1)

Andrew Callaway - Solway Plain Mission Community

Andrew starts his curacy as a long career in teaching comes to an end with retirement. Born in Cambridgeshire he and his family moved around regularly as his father was in the RAF. In his early 20s he met his wife, Carol, and the couple settled in Matlock before then moving to Worksop. They have two grown up children. A job at John Ruskin School in Coniston brought them to Cumbria, with subsequent teaching positions at St Benedict’s School in Whitehaven and Solway Community College in Silloth. He cites an RAF Padre who his family lived next to when he was a boy, as being a big influence in coming to faith. That was further influenced by Carol. He later became a Methodist Local Preacher and trained as an Anglican Reader eight years ago. He has completed two years’ training with Cumbria Christian Learning.

Andrew says that Psalm 46 v10a - He says, "Be still, and know that I am God" has spoken to both him and Carol during his time training for ordination.

Gill Davidson - Cockermouth Team Area Mission Community

Gill has continued to manage a Christian Residential Care Home during COVID-19, whilst also completing her ordination training. She has lived in west Cumbria for most of her life, having also studied for a languages degree in Newcastle. Turning to nursing as a profession, Gill moved away from attending church because she was often working on Sundays. She later became a nurse practitioner in general practice before becoming Practice Manager of a GP Surgery and later manager of the Emmaus House Residential Home on the outskirts of Whitehaven. She came back to church after completing an Alpha Course in 2003 and has been an active member of All Saints Cockermouth, completing two years’ ordination training with Cumbria Christian Learning.

Jeremiah 29:11 has resonated for Gill during training for ordination, underpinning that even though she tried to escape God’s plans, he didn’t give up on her.

Duncan Jackson - Benefice of Egremont and Haile

Born in Essex and having lived in the east end of London, Duncan moved to west Cumbria in his 20s. As a waste management consultant – with a specialty in radioactive waste – he has previously worked at Sellafield and the West Lakes Research Institute. His work also saw him seconded to BP where he supported development of the oil and petroleum projects in Azerbaijan. Back in Cumbria he has also worked closely with Eden Nuclear and Environment as their Technical Director. He has three grown up children. Duncan trained as an Anglican Reader in 1994, serving his home benefice of Gosforth, Nether Wasdale and Wasdale Head. He now lives in Egremont and considers his home church to be Haile.Already having a degree in Theology, Duncan has completed a one-year fast-track training programme through Cumbria Christian Learning.

James 1:12 holds particular resonance for Duncan: “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.”

Jane Nattrass - Central Lakes Mission Community

Jane has lived for most of her life in Kendal and has been married to her husband, Julian, for 38 years. The couple has three grown up children and five grandchildren. Starting her working life as a nurse, Jane later became a specialist attachment support worker in a school. She then completed a teaching degree and taught for nine years at Long Marton Primary School. Jane - who at one time had moved away from her faith - later became the administrator for St Mary’s Church in Ambleside and is also the administrator for the Parish Centre in Ambleside. The Rev Beverley Lock encouraged her to explore ordination, a journey of five years during which she has studied for two years with Cumbria Christian Learning.

Luke 9: 62 speaks to Jane as she prepares for her new ministry in Cumbria, following God’s plans in new ways as she walks the road ahead.

Nina Orchard - Two Rivers Mission Community

There will be double the reason to celebrate when Nina turns 50; her birthday is on the same day that she becomes a curate. Born in Finland, Nina moved to the UK over 20 years ago and has lived in London for the majority of that time. Married to Nigel and with three children – Daniel, 18, Ella, 16 and Henri, 13 – the family will swap their home in Shepherd’s Bush for a new start in Carlisle. Nina has previously trained as a counsellor and also was a stay at home mum when her children were smaller before working as a manager for her home church in London - St Simon’s. She came to faith in her early 20s when still living in Finland and after training for ordination at St Mellitus College, she and her family have felt God’s calling to ministry in Cumbria.

Nina points to Psalm 46: 10 'Be still and know that I am God' as a beautiful and powerful reminder to turn to God in the midst of business, change, uncertainty, and find his peace.

Victoria Sekasi - Two Valleys Mission Community

Former Furness Network Youth Church leader Vic has juggled training for ordination with becoming a mum for the first time. The 39-year-old, who originally hails from Barnsley, is married to architect and photographer, Martin, with whom she has eight-month-old Annabella. Vic came to faith aged 14, having completed an Alpha Course. She studied for a degree at the University of Leicester, before working at the city’s Holy Trinity church for 12 years as a student worker. She moved to Cumbria to take up the Furness post. A New Wine Women’s Prayer Group provided the clarity she needed to explore ordination, having now completed two years’ training with Cumbria Christian Learning.

Victoria says Joshua 1: 9 has provided particular meaning for her as she has worked towards ordination, reflecting God’s calling her towards leadership.

ENDS

For further information please contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Communications Manager, on 07469 153658, 01768 807764 or atcommunications@carlislediocese.org.uk.