KIDDERMINSTER gained a new priest last recently with the ordination of Peter Greaves at Worcester Cathedral who will serve at the Ismere team ministry.
He joined 10 other candidates who were ordained to serve in parishes across the diocese by the Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend Martin Gorick who is also currently the Acting Bishop of Worcester.
Seven candidates have completed their first year of in-parish training and were ordained priests in the cathedral on Saturday (June 28) and are now able to preside at the holy communion.
Reflecting on his ordination Peter said: “It’s hard to believe that it has been 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.
“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 pray for God’s blessing on the next step of this journey.”
A further four candidates were ordained deacon on Sunday (June 29) and are entering their first year of training as a curate.
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.
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.”
