This month, the East Riding Archdeaconry will see the ordination of The Revd Barbara Bancroft as priest and Rosie Coles as deacon. Both will be ordained by The Rt Revd Dr Eleanor Sanderson, Bishop of Hull.
As a priest, Barbara will be able to carry out the full range of sacraments in the community and congregation, including presiding at Holy Communion.
Deacons are called to serve in the community and support the life of the church. Those preparing for this ministry will begin as an Assistant Curate in a parish within the diocese.
Revd Barbara Bancroft
Barbara serves as a deacon at Emmanuel Church, Bridlington, and at Barmston with Fraisthorpe.
She first came to Bridlington in the mid-1980s as a newly married science teacher and soon began worshipping at Emmanuel. While working as a hospital and home tutor, Barbara felt called to explore ordination as a priest around 2011. After a long period of discernment, she was ordained as a Distinctive Deacon in 2016.
Barbara trained part-time for three years with the Yorkshire Ministry Course, based in Mirfield.
She is blessed with two supportive daughters and sons-in-law, and four wonderful grandchildren.
Barbara said: “I loved being a deacon for several years, setting up a homeless meal and establishing a pattern of 24/7 prayer events, but in 2024, I knew God was calling me to Priesthood once more. It has been both exciting and frustrating at times, but I’m really looking forward to this next stage in my ministry with God.”
Rosie Coles
Rosie worked as a nurse for many years before spending a short period volunteering with the Iona Community in 2008. During that time, she first sensed a call to ministry when she was invited to lead morning worship in Iona Abbey.
Over the next decade, Rosie became a member of the Iona Community and trained as a Methodist minister at York St John University. Since 2018, she has served as a part-time hospital chaplain at Scarborough Hospital, a role she finds deeply fulfilling.
Rosie and her husband Roger moved to Scalby in 2020 and became part of the congregation at St Laurence’s.
Rosie said: “It has been a surprise and a delight to discover that God is still calling me to local ministry, and I am excited at the new opportunities to live out my faith and share God’s story, and the ways in which the Church of England is affirming and supporting me in this.”
