16th June 2026

Please be praying for this year's Ordinands

Later this month we will welcome a new cohort of Deacons and Priests in parishes across the Diocese.

This is a joyous time in the annual church calendar.

As we approach the ordination weekend - June 27 and 28 - there will be more coverage across all our communications channels: including here on this website; in our Parish Update ebulletin and on our social media channels.

You will also see coverage in the local media.

Before then, we ask everyone to be able to start praying for this year's cohort of Deacons and Priests. 

See below for the full list of names and where they will serve. 

Check back regularly on this website for further updates. 

The following will be ordained Deacon by The Rt Rev Philip North at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday 27 June 2026 at 10.30am:

Paul Howard who will serve in the Benefice of Euxton.

Sarah Maxfield-Phillips who will serve in the Benefice of Broughton St John Baptist.

Megan Griffiths who will serve in the Beneifice of Fleetwood St Nicholas.

Nathan Kellner who will serve in the Benefice of Preston Minster Benefice of St John, St Matthew and St James.

Christopher Metcalf who will serve in the Benefice of Heapey St Barnabas and Withnell St Paul.

Alistair Barry who will serve in the Benefice of Garstang St Thomas.

Theo Irvine who will serve in the Benefice of Preston All Saints.

Sarah Woolford who will serve in the Benefice of Preston St Stephen.

Lorraine Innerdale who will serve in the Benefice of Leyland St Ambrose.

Joy Rushton who will serve in the Benefice of Ribbleton.

John Harding who will serve in the Benefice of Leyland St John.

James Atkinson who will serve in the Benefice of Foulridge Laneshawbridge and Trawden.

Heesoo Warner who will serve in the Benefice of Barrowford St Thomas and Newchurch-in-Pendle St Mary.

The following will be welcomed into the Church of England by The Rt Rev Philip North at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday 27 June 2026 at 10.30am:

Rev Mark Yates who will serve in the Benefice of Chorley St Lawrence.

Rev Testimony Samuel who will serve in the Benefice of Preston Emmanuel.

The following will be ordained Priest by The Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff at Wesham Christ Church on Sunday 28 June 2026 at 10am:

Rev Jono Peatman who will continue to serve in the Benefice of Wesham Christ Church.

Rev Matthew Lockwood who will continue to serve in the Benefice of Blackpool Christ Church with All Saints (known as Beacon Church).

The following will be ordained Priest by The Rt Rev Dr Joe Kennedy at Feniscliffe St Francis on Sunday 28 June 2026 at 4pm:

Rev Amanda Hughes who will continue to serve in the Benefice of Hoole St Michael.

Rev John Lisle who will continue to serve in the Benefice of Blackburn St Luke's.

Rev Sara Marriott who will continue to serve in the Benefice of Feniscowles Immanuel and Feniscliffe St Francis.

Please also pray for their families and the parishes they serve.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people
for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-12