Diocese of Chichester

It was a joyous and moving occasion when eight new deacons were ordained by the Bishop in his Cathedral Church on Saturday 26 June.

After a morning of preparation and prayer, the candidates enjoyed a picnic lunch with family and friends before the taking of the Declaration and Oaths in the Bishop’s Chapel and then spending some time in prayer ahead of the service.

Family and friends and parish supporters were welcomed by the Dean of the cathedral, The Very Revd Stephen Waine. 

Due to social distancing the usual number of supporting guests attending the service sadly had to be reduced, however, the service was live streamed.

The Old Testament reading was read by Darren Oliver, Diocesan Registrar and The New Testament reading was read by The Revd Natalie Loveless, Vicar of Rustington

Special thanks go to the various training colleges who have supported, nurtured and prepared the candidates for ordination.

The new deacons will now go on to serve in parishes across East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

Please pray for the candidates and the parishes in which they serve:

Anna Bouch (Holy Cross, Woodingdean)

Jan Butter (St Peter's, West Blatchington)

Laura Darrall (St Peter and st Paul, Rustington)

Patrick Donovan (Chanctonbury churches)

Simon Earnshaw (Clayton with Keymer)

Toby Lancaster (Holy Trinity, Hastings)

Joe Padfield (East Blatchington and Bishopstone)

Kizzy Penfold (St Helen’s, Ore)

You can watch the live streamed service here: https://www.chichester.anglican.org/liveservices/

Bishop Martin's full sermon can be read here

To watch the interviews with the eight deacon candidates and their training incumbent please click here.

For the list of deacons being priested in 2021 click here.