Diocese of London churches welcome new wave of deacons

This comes after they were ordained as deacons in services at St Paul’s Cathedral, St Andrew’s Holborn, and St James’s Clerkenwell.

The deacons will now begin their ministry across 38 churches within the diocese.

The office of deacon is an important step on the path to becoming a priest, after two to three years of study and preparation.

Ordinands at St Paul’s (Image: Graham Lacdao) The new deacons will support their communities through leading worship, teaching, and pastoral care.

The Bishop of London, the Rt Hon Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullaly, said: “It is always deeply encouraging to witness a steady wave of new clergy each year, eager to serve God in a ministry setting.

“This latest group of deacons reflects both the diversity and unity of the Church – spanning a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and expressions of faith, yet united under a shared banner of hope.

“I pray that each of them will be a blessing to the churches and communities they will serve across the Diocese of London.”

The newly ordained deacons shared their enthusiasm for their upcoming roles.

Ordinands at St James Clerkenwell (Image: Brendan Foster) Matt Lanstone, a new curate at Christ Church, Cockfosters, said: “I am so thankful for the opportunity to begin putting into practice the things I have learned during my three years at theological college.

“Pastoral ministry has been a highlight of my time at college, and I pray I can be the Lord’s ‘hands and feet’ with gentleness, humility, and respect.”

Joe Grogan, a new curate at St Martin’s, Ruislip, said: “I’m thrilled to be ordained and to begin my ministry at St Martin’s in Ruislip.

“I look forward to joining the church family there – praying, worshipping, and walking together as we seek God.”

The deacons, along with the locations where they will serve, are as follows:

Two Cities: Campbell Patterson at All Souls Langham Place.

Edmonton: Oliver Baldwin at All Hallows Gospel Oak, Chris Brees at Christ Church West Green, Rowena Gliddon at St Barnabas Woodside Park (Church@five), George Iskandar at Kentish Town Parish, Matt Lanstone at Christ Church Cockfosters, John Laverick at All Hallows Tottenham, Anando Mukerjee at St James Muswell Hill, Mojtaba Barahimi at Lighthouse, Finchley, Ben Sheridan at St John at Hampstead, Matilda Tempest at St Mary the Virgin Primrose Hill.

Kensington: Claytone Amira at St Saviours Sunbury, Jared Bannister at St Mary Magdelene Littleton, Joy Beauchamp at St Mary with St Alban Teddington, Tim Bridges at St Michael Fulwell, Tom Clarke at St Paul Hammersmith, Hélène Frost at St Paul Hammersmith, Helen Mark at HTB Dalgarno Way, Kaosidi Nwankwo (Redwood-Sawyerr) at HTB, Emmanuel Olaojo at St Paul Hammersmith – St Alban, Jools (Julian) Parris at HTB, Simon Perfect at All Saints Fulham, Sarah Rae at St Mary with St Alban, Nichola Taylor at St George White city, Dizzy (Elizabeth) Watkins at Christ Church Feltham BMO, Laura Woodhead at Hope Church Hounslow.

Stepney: James Anderson at St George Tufnell Park, Lauren Burnett at Saint, Sophie Castell at St Clements King Square, Andrea Farley-Moore at St Jude and St Paul, Mildmay, Cyril Farrar at St Barnabas Homerton (Saint), Sarah Smith at St George in the East, Andy Symmons at Christ Church Highbury, Michael Traynor at St Paul Shadwell, Sam Williams at Holy Redeemer Clerkenwell.

Willesden: Nathan Barrett at St Mary Hayes, Ben Bloom at St John Pinner, Jenny Erber at St Christopher Hanwell, Joe Grogan at St Martin Ruislip, Petra Metry at Uxbridge Team Ministry.

The Diocese of London wishes them all well as they embark on their new roles.