Ordination for Sherburn

Phil Grayson will be ordained Deacon by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, during one of five services to ordain 12 women and men between Friday 25 and Sunday September 27.

The 12, who would have been ordained in July this year but for the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, have been serving as Licenced Lay Ministers in the parishes within the Diocese of York in which they will continue to serve as Curates once they have been ordained.

The five services replace the customary single service in the Nave of York Minster, to enable the closest family and friends of the two or three candidates in each service to attend within the current guidelines for social distancing and maximum numbers, and will be streamed on facebook.

The Archbishop of York said: “It’s an unexpected joy for me to be ordaining 12 Deacons this autumn.

“These are unusual times and all 12 have been making their mark in their new parishes for over three months as Lay Workers; I give thanks to God for the ministries that are already growing in them and through them, and for the blessing they will be as he sends them out as servants and heralds of the gospel.”

A spokesman for the Church of England Diocese said: “Phil Grayson came to a personal faith in Christ at age 11.

“Ordination was not a career he considered until his first year of Sixth Form, when he experienced a renewal of his faith after a period of significant challenge.”

Phil studied for a BA in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University, before going home to Sheffield to work as a Parish Assistant, and then three years as a Conductor on Sheffield’s trams.

Phil returned to York for a Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme year, at the Minster and St Luke’s parish church, and was recommended for ordination; he trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham.

“Ordination training is certainly demanding, but I have found it to be a time of growth, deep relationships and a lot of fun,” said Phil.

“My hope for ministry is that I will be able to help people encounter the love of God and grow to become passionate followers of Jesus.”

Phil will serve as Assistant Curate at Sherburn-in-Elmet with Saxton.