On Saturday, 5th July, in the afternoon, many smiling family members gathered in Birmingham Cathedral to support and celebrate their loved ones being ordained as Deacons. The congregation filled the cathedral for this powerful celebration. The candidates being ordained included:
- Patricia Brown Richards - St Mary and St Ambrose, Edgbaston
- Heather Carty - St Michael, Handsworth, and Bishop Latimer with All Saints, Birmingham
- Aubrey Clarke - Holy Trinity, Sutton Coldfield, and St Peter, Maney
- Clare Gladstone - St Francis, Bournville
- Michelle Grannell - St Matthew with St Chad, Smethwick
- Andrew Harris - St Mary Magdalen, Hazelwell
- Christine Hibbert - All Saints', Gravelly Hill
- Ronia Jamera - St Luke, Birmingham
- Ngatendwe Mudzvovera - St John the Evangelist, Walmley
- William Stevenette - St Philip, Dorridge, with St James, Bentley Heath, and St Thomas, Nuthurst-cum-Hockley Heath
- Sheila Williams - St Giles and St Peter, Sheldon & Tile Cross
- Keith Woodward - The Whitacres, Lea Marston, and Shustoke
The Bishop of Aston, The Right Reverend Esther Prior, introduced the service, expressing,
"God calls His people to follow Christ and forms us into a royal priesthood, a holy nation, to declare the wonderful deeds of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. The Church is the Body of Christ, the people of God, and the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit. In baptism, the whole Church is summoned to witness to God's love and to work for the coming of His kingdom. To serve this royal priesthood, God has given a variety of ministries. Deacons are ordained so that the people of God may be better equipped to make Christ known. Theirs is a life of visible self-giving. Christ is the pattern of their calling and commission; just as He washed the feet of His disciples, so they must wash the feet of others."
The Archdeacon of Aston presented those to be ordained by name and the places where they will serve. The Reverend Calvert Prentis responded affirming his belief that the candidates are called to serve with goodness in their ministry. This was followed by the Anthem.
The Bishop of Birmingham, The Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland, then led the sermon. In his message, he spoke movingly about identity, calling, and the transforming power of God's love. He encouraged the ordinands to remember their identity as belonging to God through Jesus Christ, emphasising that this deep security enables them to serve others with humility, strength, and joy. Drawing on the Gospel reading of Jesus washing His disciples' feet, Bishop Michael reminded the congregation that ministry is rooted in self-giving love and that true freedom comes not from status or affirmation, but from knowing we are loved by God. He invited everyone present, not just the ordinands, to heed Jesus' call to follow Him and to live lives of service and witness.
Bishop Michael also expressed gratitude for the families, friends, and communities who supported the ordinands on their journey, recognising the shared sacrifice and love that make such days possible. He acknowledged that while ordination is a joyful and public celebration, it follows a long path of discernment and commitment and marks the beginning of a lifelong call to serve. He urged everyone to pray earnestly for the gift of the Holy Spirit, reminding the ordinands that they cannot fulfil their calling through their own strength but only by God's grace.
The Bishop of Aston then addressed the ordinands directly:
"In the name of our Lord, we bid you remember the magnitude of the trust in which you are now to share: the ministry of Christ Himself, who took the form of a servant for our sake. Always remember with gratitude that the people among whom you will minister are made in God's image and likeness. In serving them, you are serving Christ Himself, before whom you will be called to account.
You cannot bear the weight of this calling in your own strength, but only by the grace and power of God. Pray therefore that your heart may daily be enlarged and your understanding of the Scriptures enlightened. Pray earnestly for the gift of the Holy Spirit."
The Bishop of Aston then laid her hands on the head of each ordinand, marking a powerful moment during the Ordination Prayer. The Bishop of Birmingham afterwards presented the new deacons with a New Testament.
The Reverend Canon Dr. Mark Pryce then offered a welcome, followed by a heartfelt greeting from the entire congregation to the newly ordained deacons, stating, "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. We welcome you as fellow servants in the gospel: may Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, so you may be rooted and grounded in love."
The entire cathedral erupted in applause to celebrate the new deacons. The service continued with The Eucharistic Prayer and the Breaking of the Bread.
The choir helped to close the service with beautiful hymns alongside blessings and joy. The celebration continued outside, filled with hugs, laughter, and pride for all the newly ordained deacons, marking a fantastic end to a day full of joy.