An exciting weekend in the calendar of the Church of England in Lancashire approaches with 22 men and women set to be ordained and welcomed as Deacons and Priests to serve parishes across the County.  

There are six Deacons and 12 Priests to be ordained at services on Saturday and Sunday, while two further ordinands (as they are known) are also being welcomed into the Church of England from other denominations. 

Together, the group is a visible sign of the continuing health of the Church here in the County – each having a real enthusiasm for the Gospel and for sharing the Good News of Jesus with as many people as possible; as part of our Diocesan Vision to have 'Healthy Churches Transforming Communities'. 

Today Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, described the moment as a ‘time of great joy and thanksgiving … when we pause to rejoice in the generosity of our God who continues to call and equip His people for service’.

And all this week the Diocese has been releasing a series of new videos on its social media channels profiling a representative four of our ordinands. The videos have received a more than 7000 views so far. 

The videos provide insight into all of their personal faith stories and journeys to this important moment in their lives and also in the life of the parishes where they will serve. You can watch them here (or visit Facebook/BlackburnDiocese).

In addition, biographies, pictures and profile questionnaires of these ordinands and all the others from this year’s cohort of 22 can be read/downloaded from the Diocesan website here, alongside links to service livestreams where available, and more.

The ordinands have a pre-ordination retreat at our Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer at Whalley Abbey in the Ribble Valley prior to the weekend ahead, while the ordination services themselves take place on Saturday at 10.30am (Deacons) and 3pm (Priests) - both at Blackburn Cathedral - and further Priests’ service on Sunday at 10.30am at St Andrew’s Ashton and 4pm at Holy Trinity, Tarleton.

Age is no barrier to ordination. The youngest two ordinands this year are 26 while the oldest is 63. Between those there are a range of ages; with nine of the 22 under 40.

They will serve across the County of Lancashire in the following areas … Preston (x3); Downham; Dolphinholme, Quernmore and Over-Wyresdale; Lancaster; Read and Simonstone; Burnley; Blackburn (x2); Chorley; Feniscowles and Feniscliffe; Colne; Blackpool; Wesham; Higher Walton and Hoghton; Ashton-on-Ribble; Longridge; Brindle; Tarleton and Rufford.

Several of this year's ordinands are from Lancashire originally but many of this year’s cohort are originally from across the UK (places like Tunbridge Wells, Wirral, South Wales, East Sussex) and even overseas (Pakistan, Nigeria and USA).

The four ordinands who feature in the new videos are … Pippalina Daniels who will be ordained Priest to serve in the parish of Dolphinholme with Quernmore and Over Wyresdale and is one of two youngest ordinands at 26; Daniel Abraham who will be ordained Priest for All Saints Higher Walton and Holy Trinity Hoghton; Amanda Hughes who is the oldest of this year’s cohort and will be ordained Deacon for Hoole, St Michael and finally, Jono Peatman who will be ordained Deacon for Wesham Christ Church.

In her video, Pippalina says she wants to dedicate her life to serving Jesus saying: “By Jesus's death and resurrection, He has set us free from evil, and he promises us a future where suffering is no more. I'm a Christian because God's love for us revealed in Jesus Christ is the best thing I know, and I want to live my life following Him.”

Meanwhile, in his video Daniel comments on how much he has benefited from his ordination training saying: “My first year in ministry has been a complete and utter joy, but it's also been a year of personal growth and development for me - not only as a person, but as a minister in God's church, as I've stepped into this calling and continue to lean into him, to equip me and enable me by His Spirit to do the things he is calling me to do.”

Amanda is looking forward to getting stuck into her new role. In her video she comments: “I’m 63, but at this or any age God can use you. You're not finished yet! As Christians I don't think we can put our feet up and do nothing at retirement age. Even if you're in a position where you can't physically do something you can always pray.”

Jono has a heart for reaching all the generations and in his video he adds: “I feel a real call to lead and grow intergenerational worship; where all ages are represented, all ages are contributing and where all ages are learning and teaching one another.”

Speaking about the ordinations today Bishop Philip, who will lead several of the services, said: “Ordination is always a time of great joy and thanksgiving in the church; a moment when the we pause to rejoice in the generosity of our God, who continues to call and equip His people for service.

"For each ordinand it marks the moment they have worked towards for many years. We give thanks not just for the ministries they will offer across Lancashire but also for who they are; shaped by His grace and sent out to serve in our communities in His name.

"We pray their lives will speak of the Gospel they proclaim and that people will come to Christ across the County through their faithful witness.”

Meanwhile Rt Rev Joe Kennedy, Bishop of Burnley, will be leading the Saturday ordination of Priests – his first such occasion since becoming Bishop last summer. He commented: “I am really looking forward to leading my first ordination service since taking on the role of Bishop last year.

"Ordination season is always a joyful and thankful time as, for each ordinand, it marks a significant milestone. It remind us of God’s faithful calling and ongoing work in preparing those He sends out to serve.

"We give thanks for each and every one of them and pray that many will come to know Christ through their ministry across Lancashire."

There will be formal group pictures (including pictures taken at the various weekend services) and further updates to come on Monday of next week.

Ronnie Semley, June 2025