Date: 20 June 2022
After two years of restrictions the ordination services are returning to normal and will be held at Guildford Cathedral at full capacity on the weekend of July 2nd and 3rd.
In 2020 the ordinations had to be postponed to October and were unable to be held in the cathedral due to lockdown restrictions. They took place as a series of low-key ceremonies in a number of parish churches.
Last year the services were able to return to the grandeur of the diocese’s centre piece, but with social distancing still in place, the number of people attending the services were severely restricted.
“Although the intimacy of the smaller services over the past two years brought something different to each ordination,” says the Diocesan Director of Ordination, Craig Holmes, “it’s such a joy this year to be able to celebrate with as many family and friends as we can accommodate in the Cathedral.”
For 2022 there will be four services across the two days with the Diocese of Guildford welcoming 16 deacons and 16 priests into its family of clergy.
Craig adds. “Ordination is a about responding to God’s call to a life of service and ministry within communities. To have so many represented, worshipping with and praying for our ordinands, drives home just how significant this moment really is.”
The priests will be ordained on Saturday 2nd and deacons on Sunday 3rd, and tickets are available from each candidate. However, there will also be a limited number of seats available for the general public and some of the services will also be streamed via the cathedral’s YouTube channel and Facebook.
Full details including the list of the candidates and the services can be found on diocese’s ordination page.