Six people will be ordained Deacons and eight ordained as Priests over two services in Norwich Cathedral. The services will be live-streamed on the Norwich Cathedral YouTube channel.
Please join us in praying for all those who are to be ordained and their families.
Those to be ordained as priests by Bishop Graham on Saturday 1 July at 10.30am:
- Julian Bryant, serving in Earlham
- Sarah De Bats, serving in the Glaven Valley Benefice
- Samantha Luscombe, serving in Norwich, St Stephen
- Sally McCubbin, serving in Old Catton, St Margaret
- Natalie Rees, serving in the Aylsham Team Ministry
- James Shelton, serving in the Earsham and Harleston Benefices
- Naomi Tuma, serving in Norwich, St Peter Mancroft
- John Wigfield, serving in Cringleford, St Peter
Those to be ordained as deacons by Bishop Graham on Sunday 2 July at 10.30am:
- Elizabeth Dawes to serve in the Great Yarmouth Team Ministry
- Alastair Gledhill to serve in Holy Trinity, Norwich
- Kirsty Long to serve in Poringland and the Venta Group
- Fiona Munn, to serve in the King’s Lynn Team Ministry
- Karl Ross to serve in Gorleston, St Mary Magdalene
- Joshua Whitnall to serve in the Harling and Guiltcross Benefices with Wretham and Shropham
Each of the new ordinands has shared a little of their story:
Liz Dawes
My journey into ministry began when I trained and was licensed as a Reader in 2014 in the Aylsham & District Team Ministry. I worked for Norfolk Library and Information Service for 11 years and then spent 13 years working in central services at Diocesan House, mostly for the Children, Youth and Families Team which was immense fun. The pandemic forced me to re-evaluate the direction in which my life was going and it became clear to me that ordination was the path I had to follow. I began training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon in 2021 which has been the most amazing experience and I’m looking forward to joining the Great Yarmouth Team Ministry for curacy by the sea in a lovely historic Norfolk town.
Alastair Gledhill
Prior to training for ordained ministry, I had a short career in marketing followed by a stint of full-time lay ministry at a church in London. I have enjoyed two years of study at Ridley Hall in Cambridge which included a dissertation on Christian understandings of friendship. I am delighted to be making Norwich my home and am looking forward to joining the parish of Holy Trinity Norwich in its vision to know Christ and to make him known.
Kirsty Long
I have lived in Norfolk my whole life and have been actively involved at Brundall church for the last 25 years. Although I am sad to leave, I am very much looking forward to serving my curacy with Poringland and Venta Group benefices.
I am married to Stuart and have 3 grown up children and 1 daughter who will start sixth form in September.
In my spare time I enjoy travelling, going to the theatre and spending time with my family and friends.
Fiona Munn
I am excited to be moving to Kings Lynn for curacy with my husband, Adrian, and three children aged 7, 9, and 12. I grew up in Wells-next-the-Sea, and now live in Mulbarton in South Norfolk. I worked for many years as a GP. Through my work, I became aware of the challenges people in poverty face. I am passionate about doing church well, particularly in more deprived areas. I also love getting outdoors and leading Forest Church. I trained at St Mellitus College and have appreciated the support of friends and family and those in my placement churches at Earlham and Cringleford.
Karl Ross
I’m originally from Jarrow in the North East of England and it’s an absolute pleasure to be serving my curacy near the same sea I grew up so close to. I’m passionate about people from housing estates, like where I grew up, and where I’m serving my curacy at St Mary Magdalene in Gorleston, coming to know the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
As a kid, I used to come to this part of the world for family holidays. The last time we came was in 2018, to have a little trip down memory lane, and I have a distinct memory of praying for the churches in the area and thinking to myself: “wouldn’t it be great to minister here!” God heard and brought me here and I am so excited to start!
Joshua Whitnall
Diaconal ordination will mark the culmination of a long, and continuing, journey of discernment and training and will be a standout moment in my faith journey. Deacons are called to serve the community in which they are, bringing the needs and hopes of people before God and it is a privilege to be serving the benefices of Harling and Guiltcross with Wretham and Shropham in this way. I am married to Bethany, and our two small children keep us on our toes! I ask for your prayers that the grace of ordination would help me to surrender more fully to God and follow where He calls me to be.
Please join us in praying for all those who are to be ordained and their families.