11 candidates were ordained over the weekend to serve in parishes across the Diocese.
Seven candidates have completed their first year and were ordained Priest in the Cathedral on Saturday; they are now able to preside at the Holy Communion. A further four candidates were ordained Deacon on Sunday and are entering their first year of training as a curate.
The ordination services were led by Bishop Martin. The Revd Canon Dr Richard Cooke, former Principal of the Coventry Diocesan Training Partnership and now Rector of the Ilmington Downs and Stour Valley Parishes in the Diocese of Coventry, preached at both services having led a pre-ordination retreat for all candidates.
Ordained Deacon:
Tobias Thornes who will serve in the Rural Mission Area (an area of 156 square miles in the West of the Diocese)- Jon Turner who will serve in the Saltway Team, Droitwich
- Paul Latham who will serve at St Thomas in Stourbridge
- Philippa Lowe who will serve at Great Malvern Priory
Ordained Priest:
- Michael Edwards, serving at St Peter’s Church in Bengeworth, Evesham
Peter Greaves, serving in the Kidderminster Ismere Team- Gilly Maxim, serving in the Worcester City West Team
- Tim O'Leary, serving at All Saints, Worcester
- Prajna Pal-Lad, serving at All Saints in Evesham
- Chris Smith, serving in Kingswinford and Wall Heath
- Sarah Tranter, serving in the Halas Team in Halesowen
Bishop Martin said: “It is always a great privilege to be able to ordain people who have discovered the love of God in their lives and have decided to devote themselves to bringing that love to others. All these candidates will be a blessing to the churches in which they serve as well as the wider community.”
Background information about the Deacons:
Tobias Thornes (Rural Mission Area)
I look forward to serving in the very beautiful Teme Valley Rural Mission Area, and getting involved with all the joys and challenges that will arise from such a large but vibrant patch. I have spent the last three years training at St Stephen’s House in Oxford, obtaining degrees in both theology and mission & ministry which I hope will prepare me for at least some of what is to come! As a pianist, I found myself getting heavily involved in the musical life of the college, and have certainly learned a lot about Catholic liturgical practice and musical tradition whilst there. I also encountered a community of Christian friendship and mutual support that cut across opposing theological opinions, an attitude of loving respect that I find very inspiring.
I was born in Worcester and have lived for most of my life in Hadzor, a hamlet in the countryside near Droitwich. My faith was nurtured in what I might describe as a ‘middle-of-the-road’ country church, rooted in the Book of Common Prayer for which I retain a great fondness. Before training for priesthood I was a physicist, studying at University College, Durham, then taking a doctorate in climate physics at Oriel College, Oxford, and the interface between faith and science continues to interest me. As a professed Third Order Franciscan, I try as far as possible to live life in harmony with the natural world and to appreciate the wonder of every creature God has made. I’ve always had a passion for the environment, and have never been able to leave Worcestershire for very long – it’s definitely always been the place that feels like home.
Jon Turner (Saltway Team, Droitwich)
I'm so looking forward to getting ordained Deacon and serving with the Saltway Team - however, when it comes to telling the story behind my call to ministry I have a confession to make, I've already been ordained - 17 years ago in fact into the Baptist Church of Great Britain where I have previously served as a Baptist Minister in the Midlands and overseas... so why am I joining the Church of England you might be wondering?
I think this is a natural progression of God's call on my life to serve him in full time ministry. I remember when I first studied theology many years ago at Spurgeon's College, London; my Old Testament Tutor quipped one day, 'I'm not like you Baptist Ministers, I'm an Anglican Priest' - and that stuck with me. Fast forward many years later and I found myself working for a Christian Mission Agency rather than pastoring a Baptist Fellowship: out of the blue I felt God's nudge to explore Priestly ministry - it was like an overwhelming thought that I just couldn't shake. So, I went to speak with my local Diocesan Director of Ordinands thinking that they would soon show me the exit because of my Baptist background; far from it, in fact the DDO was intrigued and helped me to explore whether indeed God was calling me into a new season of ministry with the Church of England.
To help test the call I started working for the Church of England in Birmingham as Director of New Congregations and this gave me good exposure to the wide breadth of ministry that occurs across the CofE. After a few years in this role, I felt it was the right time to pursue the calling and so I attended a Bishop's Advisory Panel which, to my surprise, gave its approval. So, in response I started studying theology (again) at Queen's Foundation. I have enjoyed every minute of my formation training, and I am excited to get going in my training curacy role.
Paul Latham (St Thomas in Stourbridge)
Educated in Birmingham and a proud resident of the Black Country for the past 24 years, I feel I bring a deep commitment to community and a strong foundation of faith. For the last four years, I have served as Project Lead for the Cradley Heath Community Link, working to build relationships, support vulnerable individuals, and foster hope at the heart of the community.
My journey to faith began 11 years ago following a life-changing event that opened my heart to God’s calling. Since then, my faith has grown steadily, shaped by service, reflection, and a desire to support others on their spiritual paths. I feel incredibly blessed to be starting this next chapter of ministry at St Thomas’s Church. My hope is to continue walking alongside people in the community, offering compassion, encouragement, and a listening ear as we journey together in faith.
Throughout my journey I have been supported by my wife, a dedicated nurse and community volunteer, who also rings bells at St Peter and St John’s Churches. Together, we are actively involved in church and community life. We are also the proud parents of two sons, Alex and Lawrence, who both run their own businesses.
I am looking forward to building on the rich traditions and vibrant life of St Thomas’s, working with the congregation and clergy to serve God and the wider community.
Philippa Lowe (Great Malvern Priory)
It’s the difference between hearing and listening. From childhood I’ve heard God’s call in my life, but there have been times when I just wouldn’t listen. Or I’d even do something else to try and block out what I knew I was hearing. Eventually, I knew it was time to respond and admit that I felt God’s call to ordained ministry.
And so, following a long, sometimes winding journey, hearing God’s voice in silence, in everyday encounters, in glorious music, and in the lives of the other ordinands I was fortunate to train with at Queen’s in Birmingham, here I am, humbled to be starting a new chapter in my life at Great Malvern Priory. I’m looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that continuing to listen, not just hear, will bring, and the joy of sharing the Good News of God’s love in Malvern and beyond as a Deacon in Christ’s Church today.
Background information on the Priests:
Michael Edwards (Bengeworth, Evesham)
In many ways I’ve felt liberated in my Deacon year as opposed to limited. It has been a year of fruitful growth for me. I often tell the folks of St. Peter’s that Andy is my Training Incumbent but they are my Training Congregation; and they have taken to their task beautifully, with buckets of encouragement & insightful feedback (as has Andy). I’m similarly thankful to Bengeworth Academy, who are my Training School, as I learn how to be a Governor there, and they let me get away with assemblies reimaging David & Goliath with water pistols.
I know a number of people, particularly my friends & family who will be travelling the length of the country again, are confused by – even doubtful of – a second ordination after 12 months; why not simply be ordained Priest as quickly as possible? This year, I think, has shown me the deep wisdom of it. It’s very self-indulgent, but it has allowed me to settle into my calling. To be encouraged by my Training Incumbent, Congregation and Community to find ‘Mike’s’ way of being a minister, and to do so through the lens of service, prayer, teaching and worship.
That said, I am now looking forward to the next stage. I cannot wait to be able to pronounce God’s blessing upon the people of Bengeworth, to be able to anoint with oil the sick and the dying, to remind God’s people of His forgiveness of our sins, and of course to have the privilege to serve our community at the Lord’s table, where we all get to participate in the holy mystery of communion. I feel as ready and prepared as I may ever be, by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, to, in the words of one of our congregants David, ‘wear my stole a little more comfortably than at the moment.’
Peter Greaves (Kidderminster Ismere Team)
It’s hard to believe that it is twelve months since I was ordained Deacon and I am now being ordained Priest. This year has brought so much joy, with many new challenges and plenty of surprises, but the love and support I have received has been wonderful. The support of my wife and family and the guidance of my friend and Incumbent, the Revd Shaun Armstrong has been amazing. Also the opportunity to share the journey from Deacon to Priest with my Church family, who have had to learn to see me, not just as Peter but as the Revd Peter.
It sometimes seems hard to believe that almost eighteen years ago I was so very ill that a future was difficult to envisage, and I had to retire early from the teaching and Headteacher role that I loved. I believe that God’s hand has been upon me and helped me recover, and I hope to be able to thank the Lord in my service and mission.
I’m looking forward to the joy of leading the Eucharist and sharing the Sacrament at St. Peter’s. This year, I have been able to lead many of our service of the Word celebrations and have started to develop my ability to prepare sermons and to preach.
Meeting with families to prepare for baptisms and funerals has been a privilege - looking after those at the beginning and end of their Christian journeys. I hope to be able to extend this ministry and develop this into officiating at weddings in our beautiful church.
I have also been able to share with the community some of the most special services this year in my role as Assistant Curate. Leading our Harvest celebration and the Remembrance Service, which involved the local uniform groups with over 140 in attendance was a very joyful experience. I also was able to deliver our Christingle and Crib services and took a key role during Lent and Holy Week.
I hope that the links I have made with our local school, the uniformed groups and the Cookley Community will allow our mission work to develop and establish a Family Service to become a regular part of our praise and worship,
I pray for God’s blessing on the next step of this journey.
Gilly Maxim (Worcester City West Team)
I have loved every minute of being a Deacon. From the first day, I have been made to feel welcomed, included and valued, and very quickly I felt integrated into the ministry team, congregation and community.
The highlights are numerous and daily - funeral and baptismal ministry; compiling, leading and preaching for a service for Remembrance Sunday; working alongside the Royal British Legion for Armistice Day; preaching on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday; having 24 services in Holy Week and so much more. I am truly humbled by the experiences that have been offered to me. I have a Training Incumbent who is tremendously generous in sharing with me his time, experience and wisdom. It is a privilege to work with and learn from him.
I was desperately sad to leave my job in the Diocesan Education Team but becoming a member of the Diocesan Board of Education, a Trustee for Elements Multi Academy Trust and being able to work with St Clement’s CE Primary, has meant that I have still been able to engage with my passion for Church Schools which is rewarding and a real joy.
I also work one day a week as a prison chaplain in HMP Hewell, a category B men’s prison with 1100 residents. I am part of a dedicated multi-faith chaplaincy team and the experience of working with leaders of other faiths, as well as working with and supporting prisoners of faith and no faith is enriching, challenging, rewarding, exhausting and seeing God at work there is utterly inspiring.
I can't begin to imagine what next year will bring but I am open to all that God will call me to be and do, and I pray that I will respond obediently and in a way that benefits his kingdom and mission.
I am incredibly blessed to have an enormously supportive and loving family. My husband, Piers and our four children, Amelia, Abigail, JJ and Florence have made the transition into ministry extremely easy for me, and I am so very grateful. I couldn’t do any of the above without them.
Tim O'Leary (All Saints, Worcester)
I’ve always loved the TV show The Repair Shop — the way something treasured but tired is brought into the light, handled with care, and patiently restored. It’s never rushed, never dramatic, just slow, skilled work that honours the story of what’s been brought in.
Looking back on this year as a deacon, that’s how ministry has often felt. Not big or showy — but faithful and hands-on. Turning up, making time, offering a listening ear or a quiet prayer. Holding space for God to meet people in the middle of their wear and tear.
Now, as I’m ordained priest, I step more fully into that work. Not to fix or rescue, but to continue holding out what’s always been true — that God is the one who restores. Only now, I get to do that through the sacraments too: to bless, to baptise, to break bread and share the cup. To stand at what feels, to me, like God’s workbench — a place where grace gets to work on what’s broken, and beauty begins to return.
If I can help people find their way to that space, again and again — then I’m right where I want to be.
Prajna Pal-Lad (All Saints in Evesham)
It feels as though I’ve crammed a good few years of training into these last twelve months of curacy. The first section of the Auxiliary pathway focused on theory and lessons were classroom based which, I must say, I enjoyed enormously! But this year has been about boots-on-the-ground training - of how to lead baptisms, funerals and weddings. I hope I never stop being amazed at the privilege of being part of these key moments in someone’s life.
Recently, I, along with a group of deacons, was invited to take part in a wonderfully instructive session of how to serve Communion. We were awed at the richness of the tradition, the humility of handling the sacraments and the deep reverence of each action. My ministry has always been about gathering people, breaking bread and blessing stories.
To be able to preside at the Lord’s table, to say the words: ‘Come to this table. Come as you are: strong in faith and struggling to believe; travelling light and heavily burdened; whole and broken. Come to this table and share. God’s holy gifts, for God’s holy people.’ will be the most meaningful thing I will ever do.
I cannot wait.
Chris Smith (Kingswinford and Wall Heath)
Well, what a year it has been! In some ways it feels like it has flown by. In other ways I’ve done and experienced so much that it feels a lot longer.
A particular highlight has been some deeply moving encounters during home visits and hospital visits. Practicing just being present as God’s representative in situations of sickness and need and being company and support for people who are going through difficult times. I always remind them that, even when they can’t physically be with us at church, they are not forgotten by God or by us. We continue to pray for them, and they are still just as much a part of our community.
Other highlights include pioneering a fortnightly all-age worship service, becoming a school governor, and more recently, working with asylum seekers – brothers and sisters from the persecuted church worldwide, seeing how we can welcome, support, and learn from them.
I’m on a steep learning curve but all in all it has been a very enjoyable and memorable year, filled with lots of ‘firsts’. I’m looking forward to my next year with the same degree of anticipation following my Priesting, as there will be another whole set of ‘firsts’ for me yet again!
Sarah Tranter (Halas Team in Halesowen)
When I was ordained a deacon last year, I felt that I was about to start on a remarkable journey, it had taken many years to get to that day, but finally, at last my ordained ministry was about to start. A friend asked me during the year, “had the journey to ordination and becoming a deacon been worth all the work, had it been all I had hoped for?” and the answer is yes, more than I had hoped for.
I remain grateful to the congregations, ministers, and clergy of all the churches in the Halas team for their support and prayers. They have encouraged me to reach beyond the skills and abilities which I believed I had. My journey of prayer has sustained me during times of challenge and excitement.
In being ordained as a priest I am looking forward to getting to know people more in the parish, and to be more involved in pastoral visits and extending my participation within the community. This coming year I hope to become more confident in all I have learnt so far, taking occasional offices and presiding at the Eucharist which will be a great honour.
