A former nurse, a village postmaster and a professional sailor are amongst 11 people who were ordained as deacons at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 28 June.
The new members of clergy were ordained by the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison.
They will now continue their training by serving as curates for three years in parishes across Devon.
It was Bishop Mike’s first ordination of deacons service since he became Bishop of Exeter.
During the service the bishop ordains each person by placing his hands on their head
Speaking after the service outside the Cathedral, Rev’d Claire Hendy, who will be based in Eggbuckland in Plymouth, said “When I first walked down the aisle and everyone was looking at me, it hit me that this is real and it’s happening to me and God is with me.
“It’s been a journey of many years and a lot of prompting from God… and in the end I had to listen.
“I’m really excited to be with people in the community and to be getting to know them and loving them and building relationships.”
Rev’d Heidi Budden shares a smile just after being ordained
Rev’d James Moore, who worked as a nurse in the NHS before working in international travel medicine, commented: “The service was quite incredible, It was incredibly moving and hugely uplifting and encouraging.
“I’m most looking forward to getting to know people as a curate and working alongside them, and for them, in the parishes where I will be working.”
The sermon was given by the Rev’d Dr Sean Doherty, Principal of Trinity Theological College in Bristol. He told the new ministers: “It’s not about measuring up to certain standards. Christians aren’t people who think they’ve got it right, they’re people who know they’ve got it wrong and who love the person [Jesus] who has forgiven them.”
The role of deacons includes sharing the Gospel, serving their communities and ‘searching out’ the poor, sick and lonely.
After a year the majority of deacons go on to be ordained as priests, but they remain deacons first and foremost.
The full list of those ordained in 2025 is: Jon Bealey (Newton Abbot Team Ministry), Heidi Budden (Littleham Cum Exmouth with Lympstone), Beth Charman (Bay Church, Torbay), Josh Chesworth (Co Church, Exeter), Suki Coe (St David’s, Exeter), Catherine Harper (Georgeham), Claire Hendy (Eggbuckland with Estover), Toby Humphreys (Holy Trinity, Exeter), Marc Kastner (Colyton with Colyford, Branscombe, Musbury, Northleigh and Southleigh), Fiona Lang (Pennycross, Plymouth), James Moore (Fremington, instow and Westleigh).
Watch a recording of the service