Ten new people, two men and eight women, will be ordained by the Bishop of Hereford next Sunday 5th July. They will work in parishes all over the diocese before becoming priests in 2010.

“Unusually, most of them will serve in the Northern part of the Diocese, in Shropshire,” said Marylou Toop, Director of Ordinands. “Two of the others will work in Hereford and Ledbury with two more going to Tenbury Wells on the Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire border but still part of our Diocese. They are a group of diverse people from a variety of backgrounds as is usual for those who serve the Church locally.”

This year many of them come from a teaching background, either still in employment or former teachers. Brenda Jacobs, currently teaches in Tupsley, Hereford, but will be giving that up to work in the parish of Holmer just north of the city; she will continue to breed Golden Retrievers. John Beesley who teaches in a school just over the Welsh border in Knighton, will continue teaching while working in his spare time as part of the Ludlow Team; he is a keen member of Knighton Operatic Group.

Shirley Small and Caroline Wright will both be working in Pontesbury. Caroline runs a Bed and Breakfast business while Shirley is a drugs and medical advisor, but also fosters Donkeys! Perhaps the most unusual candidate is Pam Bickley, the Director of Nursing for NHS Telford and Wrekin, which has supported Mrs Bickley during her three years of part-time training for her new role. She will be using her spare time in the parish of Minsterley.

There are three levels of ordained ministry in the Church of England - Deacons, Priests and Bishop.  Clergy are ordained first as Deacons and usually follow this with ordination as Priest a year later. New full time stipendiary (paid) clergy will serve a curacy for their first three or four years - a continuation of their training.  Only three of the ten candidates this year are stipendiary. Non-stipendiary or Self Supporting (unpaid) clergy will work in a variety of roles, dependent upon the needs of the parish to which they will serve.

“I think we are very fortunate in not just the number of people who offer themselves for this role, but in the calibre of those who come forward,” said the Bishop of Hereford, Anthony Priddis. “They still keep coming too! All ten will be spending a few days on retreat at The Bishop’s House so I will get the chance to know them better”

Note to editors: Interviews can be arranged with candidates. Pictures of most candidates are available on request. Contact Anni Holden
The Service of Ordination is at 10.30 on Sunday 5th July in Hereford Cathedral.
Please see full list of candidates below


List of candidates – Ordinations July 2009

• John Beesley Ludlow Team Ministry
• Janet Bellamy Hope Bowdler
• Oam Bickley Minsterley
• Felicity Iliffe Ledbury
• Brenda Jacobs Holmer, Hereford
• Chris Moore Tenbury Team Ministry
• Hilary Morgan Tenbury Team Ministry
• Shirley Small Pontesbury
• Val Smith Highley
• Caroline Wright Pontesbury

Anni Holden, Director of Communications
The Diocesan Office, The Palace, Hereford HR4 9BL
Tel: 01432 373342 mobile 07889 186316
a.holden@hereford.anglican.org
www.hereford.anglican.org