The sermon was given by Rev Canon Martha Mutikani, Racial Justice Officer and Assistant Dean of Women’s Ministry at Chichester Cathedral. She spoke of the miracle of ordination and shared some of her own testimony of sensing God’s call to priesthood and the journey it took her on. Rev Martha had led the ordination retreat that all seven deacons had attended and so had got to know each person well over the weekend.

The ordinations were followed by Eucharist using the Little Jazz Mass by Bob Chilcott.

The service closed with the new deacons leaving the cathedral with their training incumbents to rapturous applause from their friends family.

You can read more about two of the new deacons on our website:

• Clare King shares about her journey of faith, from being in education to discovering her vocation as a priest, here.
• Richard Shurmer had been a Reader for over thirty years but sensed God leading him into ordination after retirement from education. Read his story here.

The full list of those becoming deacons is:

• Karen Crowhurst (to serve at St Blasius, Shanklin)
• Coleen Jackson (Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth)
• Clare King (Holy Trinity, Bembridge)
• Nicola Pinnock (St Catherine, Ventnor)
• Bevaly Rackett (St Mary, Brading)
• Richard Shurmer (St Cuthbert’s, Copnor, with St Aidan’s, Anchorage Park)
• Larry Stone (Harbour Church)

Find out more about becoming ordained on our Vocations page here.