The Church of England is a reformed catholic church. As such, it maintains a threefold order of ministry, comprising bishops, priests (also called presbyters) and deacons, to serve the royal priesthood of all believers. The liturgy for this service – which takes place on Saturday 24th June 2023 – follows sets out the church’s understanding of such ministry.
The service is one of a number of Petertide ordination services in the Diocese of Leeds. Priests are ordained by their Area Bishop in Episcopal Area services (Ripon, Leeds, Wakefield, Huddersfield or Bradford).
Here is more information on the candidates being ordained this year. You can join us in person ready for 3pm on Saturday 24th June 2023 or you can join us online via YouTube or Facebook. You can also download the full service booklet.
Ben Leighton writes: I’ve enjoyed my first year as a Deacon and getting stuck into life in Bradford! Beginning curacy was rather busy, as it was for many of us, but it also involved getting married 3 weeks later! It’s been great to settle into our new community and to get to know many of the wonderful people at St John’s, Bowling and beyond. We’re blessed to have a large number of asylum seekers and refugees as a part of the church, so it’s also entailed developing a love for Persian food (eating, not cooking), as well as all that Bradford has to offer! I’ve been fully involved in the busy life of the church including services, Alpha, our food pantry, Bible studies, baptisms, and much more, whilst also working on completing my studies. We’ve loved getting to know West Yorkshire more and look forward to all that’s in store for this next year!
Emma Wilkinson is serving as the curate of Girlington, Heaton and Manningham in Inner Bradford. She has really enjoyed her first year sharing in the ministry of her team and getting to know the people of the parish. Her favourite moments include sitting in a boat for an all age service, putting Nutella on hundreds of pancakes, seeing baptisms and confirmations, and being part of the Church hosting a community day on the King’s coronation.
Ludia Shukai (curate in the Parish of St John, Great Horton and St Wilfrid, Lidget Green) writes: I trained part time for ordination at St Hild College alongside my job as a psychiatric nurse at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. I am married to Federico and we have five children and eight grandchildren. We came from Sudan as refugees as a result of the continuous war in Sudan and the persecution of Christians. I was inspired by my father, the late Bishop Botros Shokai, to love and serve the Lord. God has called me to serve the Sudanese people in Arabic language and lead them to interculturally integrate into the body of Christ in England.
Marianne Clough has been enjoying a varied first year in a curacy of two halves: St James’ Community Church in Bolton Road and at Bradford’s Fresh Expression for young people: Sorted – all with the nurture and expertise of Rev Tracy Milne. Marianne has conducted baptisms, visited elderly people in care homes, turned a schoolteacher into a giant Christingle, made an Easter tomb by a bus stop and had many fun Friday nights with Bradford’s youth. A special joy has been preaching in both settings. There has also been some cancer treatment this year and Marianne is especially grateful for all those who have prayed and supported her, David and the family.
Millie Cork writes: I have been serving this year at St John’s, Great Horton and St Wilfrid’s, Lidget Green. It has been a real joy to get to know these communities and see where God is at work. Some of the highlights have been seeing how the churches are growing to be more intercultural, eating many meals together and working with a great team. I am now on maternity leave until January, after welcoming Clara into our family in April, but am still worshipping at St John’s and enjoying life as a family of 4 and a dog!
Rob Savage writes: I can’t quite believe that nearly a year has passed since I arrived in Morton and Riddlesden as Assistant Curate. It has been truly a joy to minister to this wonderful community who have given my family and I the warmest of welcomes. I have been amazed by the variety and mixture of events and activities which have formed part of my ministry so far. Ministry in local schools through Messy Church, school visits, services and ‘Open the Book’ has proved to be particularly fulfilling. I have also grown spiritually with the church community through the pastoral work I have experienced. This has included spending time in fellowship with our Wednesday morning congregation and the very personal and intimate ministry of walking with a grieving family through the process of a funeral. Through each of these experiences I have seen God at work and it has been a real privilege to be able to serve out my calling in this way.
Simon Rulton writes: I’ve really enjoyed my first year as curate in Tong, Holmewood & Laisterdyke. There has been plenty to get stuck into, from watching our family-based fresh expression grow to the privilege of supporting families when leading a funeral. I also had the opportunity to take over the running of our Food Pantry, which has been turned in to a Warm Space and Place of Welcome. I’m looking forward to where this next phase of my journey will take me and how I can serve the people in this parish.