THE Bishop of Exeter will be ordaining 11 new members of clergy at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday, June 28.

They include a former nurse, a village postmaster and a professional sailor.

James Moore, who trained as a nurse in Bristol before working around the world, said: “For me, there’s a mixture of nervousness when I think about the significance of what this day means, along with a deep sense of humility in my calling.

“I’ve certainly not managed to answer the ‘why me’ question just yet. However, there is also a huge feeling of excitement and expectation about what lies ahead as I begin to live and serve within my local community in a beautiful part of the county. Who doesn’t like an adventure!”

Suki Coe, who has recently moved to Exeter with her family, said: “I am feeling very excited about my ordination, it feels like a big step in my ministry journey.

“Coming to serve in Exeter, brings a new beginning for me and my family. We are looking forward to meeting people, getting to know the community at St David's church, where I will be curate, and exploring the city."

This will be the first ordination of deacons (the first stage of being an ordained member of clergy) carried out by the Rt Rev Dr Mike Harrison since he became Bishop of Exeter last November.

The Rev Dr Joel Love, the recently appointed Diocesan Director of Ordinands, said “Deacons are ordained to be servants of God’s people in their worship and in their community. I am excited to see what God will do through these 11 followers of Jesus.

“They are responding to the same God who calls each of us to use the gifts we are given in the service of the world he has made. This is what we mean by vocations, which is one of our missional priorities in the Diocese of Exeter.”

The ordination service will take place at Exeter Cathedral at 3pm on Saturday.

Those being ordained are spending the week beforehand on retreat.

After Saturday they will begin their new role as curates in churches across Devon including at Newton Abbot, Littleham cum Exmouth with Lympstone, Bay Church (Torbay), Exwick, Exeter, Georgeham, Eggbuckland with Estover, Colyton, Pennycross and Fremington.

You can find out more about ordination here: https://exeter.anglican.org/ministry/ordained-ministry/