NEW DEACONS and priests have been ordained in Bromsgrove and Droitwich at a special service at Worcester Cathedral.
Among them were Gary Crellin who will serve Stoke Prior, Wychbold and Upton Warren as a deacon, Carey Saleh who has become a priest in Bromsgrove and Barbara Wheatley who is based in the Bowbrook group of parishes.
Ordained deacons will enter their first year of training as curates and those ordained priests will be able to preside over Holy Communion.
The Bishop of Worcester, John Inge, presided over both ordinations, assisted by the Bishop of Dudley and the Venerable Jane Steen, Archdeacon of Southwark, preached.
Mr Crellin is 47 and lives in Feckenham with his wife Alison and their three daughters Jessica, Harriet and Isabella. He has worked in the NHS for 25 years.
He said: “Sometimes, God’s calling has been described as an irritating itch that does not go away unless you scratch it.
“God has been part of my life but like many, his presence and my ability to live a Christ like way has been rather like a radio signal – sometimes clear, sometimes scratchy.
“To continue with this daft analogy, I feel my vocation and life has transferred to DAB and the signal is clear and true, and I am humbled and delighted to be serving as a deacon in the Diocese after my ordination.”
Carey said: “I know the people I am called to serve, and feel so supported by them as I move into this next stage of ministry.
“We make the journey together and that makes all the difference.”
Carey is part of a team ministry that she said was at a new stage of growth, which was really exciting.
“I very much look forward to celebrating the Eucharist as it is here that all ministries lead.
“It is in this sacrament that God and man meet in Christ and, although I feel truly blessed to have celebrated the sacrament of Baptism, I will feel very blessed and humbled at the same time to serve God and his Church whilst presiding at Holy Communion.”
And Barbara added: “I have found the itinerant nature of being a deanery curate very exciting and inspiring and, as a peripatetic priest, I am very much looking forward to being there for people in a way which, with God’s help and guidance, will facilitate the exploration of discipleship and faith development.
“To be called to minister to God’s people – to walk with them on their spiritual journey, is the greatest privilege and also the greatest responsibility.”
