New deacons beginning ministry across Buckinghamshire
The new clergy, who bring experience from diverse backgrounds, will serve in parishes across the Diocese of Oxford, including High Wycombe, as they begin their curacies.
Among them are an ultimate frisbee player, a Ukrainian refugee, a maths lecturer, and a former nurse.
Joshua Harris, who will serve in High Wycombe, is following in the footsteps of his mother, who was ordained at Christ Church in the 1990s.
Daniel Carter, who will serve in Hazlemere, said: "Jesus is the centre of my heart and my relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is the most important thing to me and I would even say it is central and crucial to our family.
"The Bible is the foundation of our life and we rely on God's spirit to make it clear to us and to guide us through his word."
Mr Carter was moved to explore faith after the death of a friend in a drowning accident aged 15.
The deacons ordained by the Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading (Image: Ed Nix) Mark Payne, who found faith in his 30s, will continue his work as an IT consultant alongside his ministry.
Lewis Simonds began volunteering at the Church of Glastonbury, while Thomas Venables grew up in a Christian family.
The ordination services at Christ Church were led by the Rt Revd Dave Bull, Bishop of Buckingham, and the Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading.
During his sermon, Bishop Steven Croft emphasised the importance of love in ordained ministry.
He said: "To love is absolutely the heart and centre of what it means to be a Christian and at the heart of what it means to be a deacon or priest or bishop.
"All too often we lose that focus in all the complexities of our work and all there is to do.
"I think as a church at this present time we need to see again more clearly that the primary calling of the ordained is to love."
The deacons have completed two or three years of training and will now serve as curates in a variety of parish settings - urban, rural, large, and small - across the diocese.
The Diocese of Oxford includes 808 churches and serves a population of 2.5 million across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
Most of the deacons will be ordained as priests next year, while a few may remain as distinctive deacons.
The five deacons serving in Buckinghamshire are Daniel Carter (Hazlemere), Joshua Harris (All Saints High Wycombe), Mark Payne (North Marston), Lewis Simonds (St Frideswide, Water Eaton), and Thomas Venables (Marlow Bottom).
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6 days ago
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New deacons beginning ministry across Buckinghamshire
Five new deacons are beginning their ministry across Buckinghamshire following their ordination at Christ Church Cathedral. The new clergy, who bring experience from diverse backgrounds, will serve in parishes across the Diocese of Oxford, including High Wycombe, as they begin their curacies. Among them are an ultimate frisbee player, a Ukrainian refugee, a maths lecturer, and a former nurse. Joshua Harris, who will serve in High Wycombe, is following in the footsteps of his mother, who was ordained at Christ Church in the 1990s. Daniel Carter, who will serve in Hazlemere, said: "Jesus is the centre of my heart and my relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is the most important thing to me and I would even say it is central and crucial to our family. "The Bible is the foundation of our life and we rely on God's spirit to make it clear to us and to guide us through his word." Mr Carter was moved to explore faith after the death of a friend in a drowning accident aged 15. The deacons ordained by the Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading (Image: Ed Nix) Mark Payne, who found faith in his 30s, will continue his work as an IT consultant alongside his ministry. Lewis Simonds began volunteering at the Church of Glastonbury, while Thomas Venables grew up in a Christian family. The ordination services at Christ Church were led by the Rt Revd Dave Bull, Bishop of Buckingham, and the Rt Revd Mary Gregory, Bishop of Reading. During his sermon, Bishop Steven Croft emphasised the importance of love in ordained ministry. He said: "To love is absolutely the heart and centre of what it means to be a Christian and at the heart of what it means to be a deacon or priest or bishop. "All too often we lose that focus in all the complexities of our work and all there is to do. "I think as a church at this present time we need to see again more clearly that the primary calling of the ordained is to love." The deacons have completed two or three years of training and will now serve as curates in a variety of parish settings - urban, rural, large, and small - across the diocese. The Diocese of Oxford includes 808 churches and serves a population of 2.5 million across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. Most of the deacons will be ordained as priests next year, while a few may remain as distinctive deacons. The five deacons serving in Buckinghamshire are Daniel Carter (Hazlemere), Joshua Harris (All Saints High Wycombe), Mark Payne (North Marston), Lewis Simonds (St Frideswide, Water Eaton), and Thomas Venables (Marlow Bottom).
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