Twelve people from varying walks have life were commissioned as lay workers ahead of their being ordained as Deacons in September.
The special commissioning service, the first of its kind in the diocese to be held on Zoom, was lead by Bishop Paul to allow the twelve to start their ministry ahead of ordination.
Traditionally, next week would be the start of Petertide (Sunday 5th July) and would have been the week that ordinations in the Diocese of Deacons and Priests would have been held. Due to COVID-19 this will now hopefully happen in Michaelmas towards the end of September.
Those commissioned are
Hilary Avent | Hetton Lyons with Eppleton, St Michael and St Nicholas |
Philip Carter | Castleside, St John and Benfieldside, St Cuthbert |
Graham Copley | Hunwick and Willington |
Tommy Daglish | Stanley and South Moor (Derwentside East Group Ministry) |
John D’Silva | Houghton le Spring, St Michael and All Angels |
Elaine Gray | Hebburn, St John with Jarrow Grange, Christ Church in plurality |
Rosemary Hendry | Crawcrook Church of the Holy Spirit and Greenside, St John |
Wim Kuiper | Sunderland, St Matthew and St Wilfrid |
Stephanie Price | Bishop Auckland |
Hannah Richardson | Peterlee, St Cuthbert |
Mahalha Wachepa | Durham North Team Ministry |
Alison Williams | Wheatley Hill, Thornley and Wingate with Hutton Henry |
Please hold them in your prayers as they start their ministry in the diocese.