Diocese of Norwich set for "different" ordinations  

In a break from the tradition of many years, ordinations in the Diocese of Norwich will be “done different” this year, due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic with over 20 people ordained as either priests or deacons during the summer - the first Church of England diocese to hold its ordinations this year.

Six people will be ordained deacons and 15 ordained as priests over a series of services in different places and one of the three diocesan bishops will be laying hands upon each candidate and cleansing his hands between each one.

The Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich said: “Ordination is a time of joy as we recognise the gifts that God gives and receives for the life of the Church of England. These incredible people, who have heard God’s call in their lives, are offering to serve the communities of Norfolk and Waveney in good times and in more challenging times. Their ordinations have already been delayed, so it is a joy that today we can mark their ‘yes’ being added to God’s ‘yes’ and the ‘yes’ of all who have gathered, physically and, far more, online.”
 
Music will be played, but singing is not permitted. As inside gatherings are limited to a maximum of 30 people, each candidate is only able to invite 10 members of their friends and family along, so these services will not be open to all. Appropriate physical distancing and handwashing protocols will be followed by all those involved.
 
Those to be ordained deacon on Thursday 6 August at Norwich Cathedral:
10 am – Coryn Stanforth (Tas Valley Team Ministry) and Cate Turner (Bramerton Group Ministry - Thurton), with Bishop Graham assisted by Bishop Alan.
12 noon – Taylor Wilton-Morgan (Thorpe Episcopi) and Jon Price (St. John’s King’s Lynn and North Lynn Methodist Church) with Bishop Graham assisted by Bishop Jonathan.
3 pm – Michael Hayden (Norwich St Andrew) and James Cook (Eaton St. Andrew) with Bishop Graham assisted by Archdeacon Karen.
 
Those to be ordained priest in a parish church within their area:
Thursday August 6 (6pm): Andrea Woods and Joy Fernando with Bishop Jonathan assisted by Archdeacon Ian at All Saints, Mattishall. Tracy Jessop and Matt Luscombe with Bishop Alan assisted by Archdeacon Steven at St Mary’s, Wroxham.
Friday August 7 (11am): Michaela Sorensen and David Cossey with Bishop Jonathan assisted by Archdeacon Ian at St Mary’s, Watton. Tim Watts and James Pinto with Bishop Graham assisted by Archdeacon Karen at Holy Trinity, Norwich
Friday August 7 (3pm): Annie Blyth and Tracy Williams with Bishop Alan assisted by the Revd Canon Sally Theakston at St Matthew’s, Thorpe Hamlet.
Saturday 8 August (11am): Andrew Bevan and Viv Ridpath with Bishop Alan assisted by Archdeacon Steven at St Mary’s, Stalham. Danny Doran-Smith and Andy Bunter with Bishop Jonathan assisted by the Revd Canon David Foster at St Cuthbert’s, Sprowston.
Saturday September 2 (7pm): PJ Brombley with Bishop Graham assisted by the Rev Canon David Foster at St Thomas, Norwich.
 
More details at: www.dioceseofnorwich.org