Three new deacons and seven priests will be ordained in the Diocese of Carlisle at a special service this weekend.

All will be ordained by the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, the Acting Bishop of Carlisle, in a joint service to be held at Carlisle Cathedral on Saturday 28 June at 11am.

The candidates include Andrew (Andy) Ward, a Network Youth Church youth worker and families worker; Allison (Al) Lee, a full-time professional and former lay reader; and Sheryl Haw, an international humanitarian aid director and hospital chaplain. Two will serve as self-supporting (unsalaried) ministers, and one will be a stipendiary (salaried) curate.

The Deacons to be ordained are:

Andy Ward to serve Kendal Helm Mission Community

Al Lee to serve the Three Rivers Mission Community

Sheryl Haw to serve Carlisle Rural Mission Community

There are 34 mission communities across Cumbria which are cross-denominational and mutually supportive groupings of churches with mission at their centre.

All of the deacons completed their training with Emmanuel Theological College, created through a partnership of six north west dioceses.

The Rev Nicky Smith, Director of Ministry and Development, said: “It has been such a joy to journey with our ordinands as they have responded to God’s call. This moment in each of their lives is a culmination of many small decisions to say 'yes' to God’s plans and purposes. We delight in this and are excited to see all that God will do in and through them in the weeks and months to come. Jesus brings light and life in abundance and their witness will be part of bringing this hope to individuals and communities across Cumbria.”

A deacon is one of the orders of ministry, to which all clergy in the Church of England are admitted. The majority are then ordained priest usually a year after being ordained a deacon and are focused on the leadership of a church community. However, there are some who are ordained as Distinctive Deacons and they remain in that role for all their service. Their focus is on a servant ministry, and they act as a bridge between church and community, reminding the Church that all Christians are called to be servants as Jesus was.

Seven further candidates will be ordained priest during the service by Bishop Rob. They are:

Ruth Illman to serve Workington Mission Community

Susan Cole to serve Grasmoor Mission Community

Nicholas Cole to serve Grasmoor Mission Community

Derek Lacey to serve Carlisle Rural Mission Community

Charles Day to serve Binsey Mission Community

David Flitcroft to serve Coast to Fells Mission Community

Diane Gilmore to serve Two Valleys Mission Community

From today, Wednesday 25 June, all the ordinands will take part in a retreat at Rydal Hall, the diocesan Christian retreat and conference centre, led by the Rt Revd John Thompson, former Bishop of Selby, honorary chaplain of Emmanuel Theological College and honorary bishop in the Diocese of Carlisle, supported by the Revd Nicky Smith as chaplain.

Bishop Rob said: “It brings me great joy to see those God has called embrace their vocation with passion and humility; after theological study and pastoral training, they now enrich the Diocese of Carlisle with their gifts. I am honoured to ordain them as Deacons and Priests at Carlisle Cathedral, commissioning them for service in Christ’s Church and sending them to minister in communities throughout Cumbria. Please keep them in your prayers as they embark on this new stage of service.”

The Cathedral ordination service will also be livestreamed on both theDiocese of Carlisle and Carlisle Cathedral Facebook pages.

Deacons’ Summary Profiles

Andy Ward – Kendal Helm Mission Community

Born in Brighton and raised in Dorking, Surrey, Andy spent ten years in Bogotá with YWAM, teaching in schools, leading street children outreach teams and helping plant a church for those on the margins. On returning to the UK in September 2013, he became Network Youth Church Leader for the Barrow Deanery, pioneering a youth focused congregation. Married to Sandy for twenty two years with four children aged 21, 19, 15 and 10, he balances family life with his ongoing passion for sport especially Arsenal football. Andy is training at Emmanuel Theological College and will bring his cross cultural and youth ministry experience to his curacy in the Diocese of Carlisle.

Andy says Joshua 1:9 ^“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Al Lee - Three Rivers Mission Community

Al is a former lay reader and full time professional whose lifelong love of reading, singing and baking complements her ministry. Though raised in church, she only came fully to faith in her late thirties during a season when familiar pews offered calm and escape through life’s challenges. Happily married and governed at home by a cat with a strong will, she brings that same warmth and steadiness to her local congregation. Al is training at Emmanuel Theological College to deepen her preaching and pastoral gifts and looks forward to serving alongside her parish.

Al shared the verse that had helped her on her journey most recentlywasMicah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Sheryl Haw – Carlisle Rural Mission Community

Sheryl grew up in Zimbabwe, became a Christian at ten during a Harare youth event and was baptised at sixteen. At eighteen she left home for nursing and midwifery training in Cape Town, returning to Zimbabwe to work while saving to attend London Bible College (now the London School of Theology). After specialising in theatre work in London, she joined Medair and over thirteen years rose to Operations Director, coordinating humanitarian responses worldwide. Back in the UK she founded a consultancy and training initiative, taught at All Nations Christian College, then served ten years as International Director for Micah Global. When COVID-19 began she answered a call to chaplaincy, spending the last five years at Cumberland Infirmary and Carleton Clinic. Seeking deeper local roots led her to St Mary’s, Wreay, and on to ordination. Her curacy will be with the Dalston with Cumdivock, Ivegill, Raughton Head and Wreay Benefice, alongside continuing hospital chaplaincy.

Sheryl shared the Bible verse that had helped her most on her journey was John 21:16-18 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”