Bangor Cathedral was packed last Saturday (June 25th) as the Bishop held his annual ordination service. Ordination is a ritual which commissions new ministries in the Church. About 500 Christians from across north-west Wales (and further afield) came to witness and support four candidates at this happy service.
Three candidates were made deacons and one was ordained priest. ‘Deacons’ (from the Greek word for ‘servant’) usually serve a probationary year before becoming priests twelve months later. All four candidates will work as ‘assistant curates’ for a few years during which time they are mentored by a senior cleric before getting a parish of their own.
The three deacons were:
- Sally Jones, 24, a graduate of Bangor University who will serve in and around Harlech.
- Stephen Leyland, 48, a former engineering manager from Llanidloes, begins his ministry in Menai Bridge and Llandegfan
- Elizabeth Roberts, 64, a retired teacher, will be ministering in central Anglesey
- Jenny Hood, 29, was ordained priest. Like Sally, Jenny is a recent Bangor graduate. She will continue to serve as assistant curate based in Bethesda.
The Director of Ordinands for Bangor diocese, Revd Kenneth Padley, said, ‘The Church in Wales currently has a recruitment drive for ordained ministry. This strategy aims for each diocese to identify and ordain three people to the stipendiary (paid) ministry each year. People who think that God might be calling them (or someone they know) towards such ministry are encouraged to talk with their parish clergy.’
