Men and women aspiring to the priesthood will be ordained as Deacons this Sunday by the Bishop of Derby, the Rt. Revd. Jonathan Bailey, at a service in Derby Cathedral on Sunday, June 30th at 10.45am.

Ten people, six men and four women from across Derbyshire will become Deacons - the first role that Church of England clergy take before becoming priests - and who have all come from a broad range of previous careers and backgrounds.

Andrew Fisher was previously a receptionist at the Paul Smith fashion house in Nottingham. Despite having a non-religious family his own faith grew through his interest in church buildings and architecture. He will begin his ministry at St John's, in Ilkeston.

John Baines, who will be welcomed at the Holy Cross Church, in Morton and Stonebroom with Shirland parishes, near Alfreton, was a senior clerical officer with the Derbyshire Constabulary at Buxton police station before he was called to ordained ministry. He also admits to having the quirky hobby of collecting vintage telephones.

Alison Cox lived in Cambridge working as an English teacher for 20 years before she had the calling. It was something she resisted at first, but her convictions grew steadily stronger and after a spell of living in Finland and Germany, she felt she had to explore the possibility of ordination. She will begin her ministry at All Saints Church, in Bakewell.

Former maths teacher David Fergus was working at De Ferrers High School, in Burton-on-Trent when he first felt he was being called. He also worked for himself as a carpenter and joiner for one year and taught children with special needs before he was accepted for ordination. He will be welcomed at St Mary's Church, Ilkeston on July 2nd - exactly 11 years to the day since he became a Christian.

Melanie Morgan will work at Foston Hall Prison as a Community Psychiatric Nurse as well as helping at St Osmund's Church, in Derby.

Helen Guest said she felt an enormous pull to ordination when she was working at Anthony Bek Primary School, in Pleasley. Her colleagues and pupils will attend the ordination service on Sunday. She will be based at St Michael & All Angels, Brimington.

St Mary's Church in the parishes of Hilton with Maston-on-Dove will be welcoming Sarah Matson de Laurier as a new Deacon. She was previously working at Methodist Homes for the Aged and felt a persistent call to ordination. After a series of experiences which she believed were hints from God, some words spoken during a sermon at Derby Cathedral confirmed to her that ordained ministry was her calling.

Former self-employed builder Derek Beech said he first felt he wanted to become a priest about ten years ago and other people had told him he would suit the job. As a member of the Association of Christian Counsellors he is looking forward to using his pastoral skills serving the parishes of Denby, Horsley and Kilburn.

Richard Hopkins, a former geography teacher from Warwick, said it was the encouragement of others that helped him to consider ordination. He's looking forward to getting involved in youth work and preaching with St Alkmund's Church, in Duffield.

Mark Smith said he felt the calling to work for God when he was just 17. His most recent career was with Derby University where he worked for over 12 years in the Derby Business School and the School of Access and Further Education. He said that although some of his colleagues were surprised about his next move, they were incredibly supportive. He will begin his ministry at All Saints, in Wingerworth.

The Dean of Derby, the Very Revd Michael Perham, guided all the ordinands through a rehearsal for the ordination service before they departed to Willersley Castle, Cromford, for a retreat, which lasts for three and a half days. He said: "I couldn't have had a better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my own ordination as a priest. It is always encouraging to see the good characters and breadth of ages and backgrounds of people who God calls to ministry. We will welcome and pray for them as they begin and continue their service within the Diocese of Derby."

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For further information about any of the ordinands, please contact
Ruth Green, Communications Officer
Church of England Diocese of Derby
On: 01332 388680

Notes to editors:
Following a year as Deacons, there will also be seven people ordained as Priests on June 29th at 11.30am, by The Rt Revd David Hawtin, Bishop of Repton. These are as follows:

¨ Barney de Berry, from St Alkmund's, Derby
¨ John Byatt, from Heanor
¨ Tim Davis, from Crich and South Wingfield
¨ Anthony Giles from Challeston
¨ Gillian Mann, from the Wirksworth Team Ministry
¨ Alison Roome from Alfreton
¨ Malcolm Shaw, from Bolsover

¨ David Schofield will be ordained on Wednesday, July 10th at 7pm by the Bishop of Ebbsfleet at St Mark's Church, Derby.

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