Thirty-two men and women have joined London’s team of clergy, having been ordained to the office of deacon at St Paul’s Cathedral by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres.

The new deacons, 19 men and 13 women, bring a huge breadth of age and experience to the family of clergy in the Diocese of London. They range in age from 24 to 60 years old and in professional experience from nursing to law. The new deacons will be working in churches across London, serving their local communities and undertaking public worship, teaching and pastoral work.

The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, said: “The energy of the Church in London is thrilling and this is a high point of the year for me as we ordain 32 new deacons to join with 45 newly ordained priests.  As the Church of Jesus Christ grows in this the greatest cosmopolitan city, so the ripples of the Gospel of Love and service spread out through all the world.”

 This year more than half of London’s new clergy are under the age of 40. The Diocese has been actively encouraging vocations under its Capital Vision 2020 strategy, including through the launch of the London Callings website to support and encourage people who want to explore ordination. Since the launch of Capital Vision 2020 three years ago, 149 ordinands have completed training with 58 going to serve outside London. A further 148 London ordinands are currently in training.

The office of deacon is a step on the path towards priesthood and follows two to three years of training. This year, 45 previous deacons have also ordained as priests by their Area Bishops, having completed their years of service and training.

London’s new deacons in 2016 include:

• Erin Clark, who will be joining the team at St Matthew’s church in Bethnal Green. Erin was brought up in Michigan, USA and moved to London in 2008 to take up a community mission and arts internship. This internship led to other work and study opportunities and she ended up staying in London. Prior to seeking ordination, Erin trained as a sociologist and worked in the charity sector as a freelance writer and editor, and as a cook. Through her voluntary work with churches and studies in graduate level theology, Erin eventually realised her calling was to train for ordination, which she did at Westcott House, Cambridge. In her spare time, Erin is a runner, a writer and a student of the piano, banjo and ukulele. She hopes to continue her work with community-building mission and creative arts at St Matthew’s.
•  Denis Adide, who will join the team at Christ Church in Turnham Green. Denis was born in Uganda in 1986, but was forced to flee with his family to Kenya as a young child. On first arrival in Kenya, Denis and his family lived in a refugee camp in Thika before settling in Nairobi a few years later. At the age of 13, Denis and family then moved from Nairobi to Willesden, where his father was already living and working. Denis went on to study English with Creative Writing at Brunel University before taking a Job at Slough Borough Council’s Child Services Department. There he worked with children in care until the commencement of his ordination training.  Christianity always played a significant role in Denis’ life, having been inspired at a young age by his Grandmother’s faith. He joins Christ Church after three years at Trinity College in Bristol.