Eight deacons will be ordained priest by the bishops of the Diocese of York over the weekend 3rd - 4th June 2023, each woman or man in the parish where they serve as Curate.
As a priest each will be able to carry out the full range of sacraments amongst the community and congregation, including presiding at Holy Communion.
Biographies of the candidates appear below with the details of their ordination services.
The Bishop of Selby, the Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, will ordain:
The Revd Alison Hutchinson is Assistant Curate in the Wolds Valley benefice (Weaverthorpe, Helperthorpe, Luttons Ambo, Kirby Grindalythe and Wharram).
A Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) since 2015 she was licensed as Focal Minister to the Howardian Benefice.
Discerning her call to ordination during the difficult period of Covid lockdowns, Alison studied for ordination for two years at St Hild’s College, Mirfield while continuing to work full-time and minister to the Howardian Benefice.
The Bishop of Selby said, “Alison has responded to the call to be a deacon with passion and enthusiasm in the rural parishes she serves. I am confident that as priest, she will grow in faith and love with these communities as they seek to live Christ’s story in a changing rural landscape.”
The Revd James Congreve-Horn is Assistant Curate at St Michael-le-Belfrey in York.
James' journey to ordination began at St Peter's, Brighton, in 2010 when he was healed of his eczema while taking part in an Alpha Course to explore the Christian Faith.
He and Jess married in 2016 and moved to Oxford when James began his training for ordination at Wycliffe Hall in 2019, and their son Moses was born there.
The Bishop of Selby said, “James has discovered during his year as a deacon that God asks everything of us and yet gives us everything we need. I believe that this willingness to embrace the call to sacrifice will enable him to offer a rich priestly ministry.”
The Bishop of Whitby, the Rt Revd Paul Ferguson, will ordain:
The Revd Richard Grant is one of two Assistant Curates in the Benefice of Thirsk (including South Kilvington, Sandhutton and Carlton Miniott).
Having grown up in a Christian family, Richard came to his own faith at university in York, and it wasn’t long before a friend suggested a potential call to ministry.
He grew in his faith in York Community Church, and later at St Paul’s, Holgate, York, where he realised God was calling him to ordained ministry. Richard trained for ordination for three years at Cranmer Hall in Durham.
The Bishop of Whitby said, “In his first year of ordained ministry, Richard has already made a mark with his infectious love for people, inspired by Jesus. It will be a joy to be part of his growth into priesthood.”
The Revd Dawn Ward is one of two Assistant Curates in the Benefice of Thirsk (including South Kilvington, Sandhutton and Carlton Miniott).
A Retail Pharmacist Manager for 41 years, Dawn worked with Harm Reduction teams to reduce drug usage, and through providing end of life care she supported people in extremely vulnerable periods.
Married to Michael, Dawn trained for ordination for six years through both Leeds and York Schools of Ministry, gained a BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission from Durham University, and completed a formation year with St Hild College, Mirfield.
The Bishop of Whitby said, “Dawn has brought her previous experience of lay ministry and of serving people within the health service. It is so good that as a priest she will have more opportunities to offer loving support to the people in the Thirsk benefice.”
The Bishop of Hull, the Rt Revd Dr Eleanor Sanderson, will ordain:
The Revd Steve Cox is Assistant Curate at Rudston, Boynton, Carnaby, Kilham, Burton Fleming, Fordon, Grindale and Wold Newton.
Steve was brought up in a Christian home so came to faith at a young age; he is retired from primary school teaching and also worked a in a variety of office-based and sales roles, as well as working with excluded teenagers.
He trained for ordination for two years at St Hild College, Mirfield.
The Revd Jonny Guy is Assistant Curate in Drypool, Hull.
His faith journey has had many unexpected twists; he's as surprised as anyone that God led him to ordination, having sensed his call after moving to York to work with Christian Unions.
Jonny trained at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and is married to Suzi with two small children.
The Revd Michelle (Shelly) Jones is Assistant Curate at St Mary the Virgin, Cottingham, and Chaplain at a 1,500-place Church of England Academy in Hull.
With 30 years' experience in teaching, education and youthwork, as well as being a fitness instructor, professional singer, dancer, musician and a children’s entertainer/youth worker on board luxury cruise ships, Shelly was awarded her Post Graduate Diploma in Theology and Ministry in January this year.
Shelly trained in Chaplaincy at St John’s Bible College, Nottingham, then in Theology and Ministry for a year at York School of Ministry, followed by two years of Ordination training at St Hild Bible College, Mirfield.
The Revd Jenny Rankin is Assistant Curate at St John's, Newland, Hull.
She grew up in a Christian family and gave her life to Jesus at a young age, first sensing that God might be calling her to ordained ministry while she was serving as Youth & Children’s Worker at St Paul’s, Holgate, in York.
Jenny is married to Sam and they have a young daughter, Kezia.
She trained for ordination at Cranmer Hall in Durham.
The Bishop of Hull said, “It has been a deep privilege to journey with Steve, Shelly, Jonny, and Jenny since arriving as Bishop of Hull last year. The commitment and courage they each show in stepping out in Christ and living in obedience to God’s call is a great celebration for our church. I give thanks to God for them and the joy of their ordinations.”