ABBIE Cann will have a busy three weeks this June. She’ll get married, go on a week’s honeymoon, move to the Isle of Wight with her new husband – and then get ordained.

The 24-year-old, who has been studying at Trinity College, Bristol, got engaged to Ollie Lynch last year. She knew she would be completing her theological course this summer, and was therefore likely to be ordained at the end of June.

And when she and Ollie were working out when and where to get married, they hit upon June 7, as the time when their ideal wedding venue was available.

They’ll then head off to Portugal for a week’s honeymoon. The week after that involves them moving to the island – where Abbie will be serving as curate in Newport, Carisbrooke and Gatcombe.

The next week will be Abbie’s pre-ordination retreat, praying and reflecting with her fellow candidates. And then at 11am on June 28, Bishop Jonathan will ordain her at Portsmouth Cathedral as a deacon, alongside nine others. She’ll then be able to wear clergy robes, lead services and be called ‘the Reverend’. By that time, of course, she will be the Rev Abbie Lynch.

After a formal welcome to the congregations the day after, she’ll finally be able to relax with her new husband, in a new home, with a new job.

“Yes, it will be a busy summer,” she said. “But it is all exciting, and sometimes God calls us to jump into things with both feet at once. Part of wanting to get married and then get ordained is about wanting to start off ordained ministry as a married woman, and as a couple. We thought we might as well do both of these things together.

“It is about going where God leads, and it’s also an adventure. Doing life with God is always an adventure, and this is just part of that. As it happens, I’m quite an organised person as well, so everything is on a spreadsheet. That doesn’t sound very romantic, but it is practical!”

Abbie grew up in a New Frontiers church near Winchester. Among others, she was inspired by her primary school teacher who was a good female role model. She started worshipping at a Church of England church in Winchester, and began to work out that God was calling her to church leadership.

She went on the Church of England’s Ministry Experience Scheme, which gives young people a taste of church leadership. Abbie’s father Jamie was also recently ordained in Winchester Cathedral, becoming a deacon in 2023 and a priest in 2024. He’s now also a curate in Winchester diocese.

She met Ollie a couple of years ago. He works as a data analyst for a financial services company, so can work remotely in their new home. He’s currently living in Bath.

“We’d never planned to move to the Isle of Wight, but now that we’ve visited, we’re excited about what God’s doing there,” said Abbie. “I’ll also look forward to exploring the amazing scenery and seeing the beaches.”