On Saturday, 5th July, on a warm July morning, friends and family were welcomed at Birmingham Cathedral and shown to their seats as they gathered to witness the ordination of their loved ones as priests. Those to be ordained included:
- Sandra Daniels - Aston and Nechells
- Paul Lacey - St Martin in-the-Bullring
- James Leavy - St John the Baptist, Longbridge & St Luke, Birmingham
- Sian Nicholas - St Patrick, Salter Street
- James Parry - Curdworth, Middleton, and Wishaw
- Valerie Powell - Old Church, Smethwick
- Alan Walker - St Peter & St Paul, Water Orton
The Very Reverend Matt Thompson, Dean of Birmingham, welcomed the congregation. The Bishop of Birmingham, Michael Volland, introduced the service. The Archdeacon of Birmingham, the Venerable Jenny Tomlinson, presented those to be ordained and stated where they would serve.
The Bishop of Birmingham, Michael Volland, then addressed the Head of Ministry Formation, the Reverend Paul Hinton, and the training incumbents as they affirmed and declared their belief in "the faith which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, to which the historic formularies of the Church of England bear witness."
The first reading was from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1–3) and was delivered by the Reverend Paul Hinton, Head of Ministry Formation. This was followed by The Anthem.
The second reading was from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians, read by Lesley Lacey, the mother of one of the candidates to be ordained.
The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Aston, the Right Reverend Esther Prior. In her message, Bishop Esther spoke of Jesus' promise in John 10:10—to bring life in all its fullness. She acknowledged the realities of sorrow, loss, and struggle, reminding us that Jesus' invitation is not to escape life's pain but to encounter deep, transforming joy in the midst of it. Pointing to the lives of those being ordained, she celebrated Jesus' power to heal, restore, and lead people into hope, freedom, and purpose. "The unbelievable is believable," she said, "because Jesus is alive and still calling people into life."
The Bishop of Birmingham, Michael Volland, then led the declarations, followed by the Ordination Prayer. Each ordinand knelt before the Bishop as he asked for God's blessing, grace, and the necessary gifts of the Holy Spirit for them to serve effectively in their new roles within the church. The prayer acknowledged the candidates' calling and sought divine empowerment for their ministry.
The Bishop of Aston then presented a Bible to the newly ordained priests, and the Bishop of Birmingham anointed the palms of the newly ordained.
The Very Reverend Matt Thompson, Dean of Birmingham, welcomed the newly ordained priests, and the entire congregation responded, "We welcome you as ambassadors for Christ; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." A loud applause erupted around the cathedral, accompanied by the ringing of the Birmingham bells.
The service continued with the Eucharistic Prayer and the Breaking of the Bread, with the choir filling the air with beautiful hymns, leading the service into prayer and the Blessing.
What a truly unforgettable day filled with joy and the boundless love of God! A heartfelt congratulations to all the newly ordained priests! Your commitment inspires us all, and we’re excited to see the incredible journey ahead!