June 23, 2021 - 1829 views
The Bishop of St Asaph will ordain nine new priests in the first of two services at St Asaph Cathedral this weekend.
For the second year running, the six men and three women will be ordained under Covid regulations, with strict social distancing, face coverings and cleaning regimes incorporated into the service.
Each of the nine candidates will only be able to bring three ‘supporters’ with them to limit the congregation. Other family, friends and colleagues will be able to watch the service via a live-stream on YouTube at https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/ordinations/
A service to ordain six deacons will take place the following weekend on Saturday 3 July.
The nine candidates for priesthood this year are:
George Bearwood, a former musician, producer, tattoo artist and DJ who is working in the Alyn Mission Area (which includes communities to the north and west of Wrexham).
Luke Bristowe, from Hope Street in Wrexham, the diocese of St Asaph’s newest church which opened in a former clothing store earlier this year.
Helen Dawson – Assistant Curate in Borderlands Mission Area.
Toby Jones who was born in Australia and moved to Wales in 2013. Toby is a keen cyclist and is currently chaplain to Welsh Cycling and the Welsh Racing Academy/Welsh Cycling Team. He is working in Pool Mission Area (which includes communities around Welshpool).
Gregor Lachlann-Waddell was born in Scotland and grew up in Zambia where his parents are missionaries. As a deacon, he’s been encouraging his local churches to register as Eco-Churches and work towards better ways to care for creation. He’s working in the Byrn a Môr Mission Area (around Prestatyn, Meliden and Llanasa.)
Benjamin Lines is originally from Birmingham but has been living in North Wales for the last 14 years. He is a marathon runner and poet and has established an online ministry with his wife, Catrin (and often their young children) throughout the pandemic. Ben works in the Aberconwy Mission Area (which includes Llandudno, Deganwy and Llanrwst).
Joanne Mackriell was born in South Derbyshire and went to Westminster College in Oxford to study theology. She is looking at how craft and visual arts can be incorporated into faith journeys. Jo works in the Wrexham Mission Area.
James Thompson and his wife, Sandra run a small farm, breeding and showing Wensleydale Longwool Sheep. Jim works in the Pool Mission Area.
Gail Woodward is a former teacher who enjoys gardening. She’s working in the Borderlands Mission Area which includes Connah’s Quay, Buckley and Hawarden.
The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron said, “It’s wonderful to be celebrating the next step on the journey of ministry for these nine candidates as each of them are learning about the different parts of the diocese and the people they serve. From young to old, from new to old ways of ministry, we have a cohort of priests who give hope for the future.”
The Diocese of St Asaph stretches from Llandudno in North-west Wales across to the Wales/England border and down to Newtown in Powys.
