Bath Abbey and Taunton Minster were filled with family and friends as 14 new priests were ordained by Bishop Ruth at two services in Bath and Taunton on Saturday.
In her charge Bishop Ruth said, “As you take on the role of priest, please remember that your identity is not to be found in a stole rearranged, sacraments you can now offer, but rather the deepening understanding that you are a child of God. It doesn’t require you to be perfect but rather to be truly yourself, seeking to be continually formed into the human being God has made and called, and who authentically reflects the image of Christ.”
Following both services the singing and the celebrations spilled out of the Abbey and the Minster as Bishop Ruth led the new priests and the congregation outside. Speaking afterwards, Fiona Mayne said, “It was absolutely amazing. This is just the culmination of many years of God calling me, this is just the final icing on the cake really. I’m just beaming I’m so happy.” Sentiments echoed by all the new priests. John Rollings, was accompanied by his family and his ‘new Ukrainian family’, refugees Olena, Vita and Sacha who are staying with John and his wife. John said, “The service was just so special. The laying on of hands, it is such a powerful and wonderful thing.”
Ordained priest at Bath Abbey
Cath Candish to serve in Benefice of Bath Abbey with St James, Bath
Fiona Mayne to serve in Haywood Village Conventional District in the Benefice of Hutton and Locking
Neil Biddiscombe to serve in Parish of Three Saints
Philip Hopper Midsomer Norton with Clandown
Steve Miles to serve in Benefice of Chilcompton with Downside and Stratton on the Fosse
Katy Partridge to serve in Benefice of Combe Down with Monkton Combe and South Stoke
Larissa Trust to serve in Benefice of Christ Church and Emmanuel, Weston super Mare
Kara Maylor to serve in Christ Church Bath
Ordained priest at Taunton Minster
George Beverley Benefice of Yeovil with Kingston Pitney
Nicola Bradford to serve in Benefice of Aisholt, Enmore, Goathurst, Nether Stowey, Over Stowey and Spaxton with Charlynch (known as The Quantock Villages)
Nick Jarrett to serve in Blackdown Benefice
Ruth Motion to serve in Benefice of Cheddar, Draycott and Rodney Stoke and Kings of Wessex Academy
John Rollings to serve in Benefice of Chard St Mary with Combe St Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton
Judith Swan to serve in Benefice of Ilminster and Whitelackington
All the photos from the day can been seen on the Bath and Wells Facebook page. The services can also be seen on the Bath Abbey website and on the Taunton Minster Facebook page.
Bishop Ruth's Ordination Charge to the Priests Peter-tide 2022