29th June 2026

New group of County Priests and Deacons are now ordained

A weekend of ordinations has seen a group of 20 men and women begin a new phase of their ministry serving in Church of England parishes across Lancashire.

They became Deacons or Priests in Blackburn Diocese and will support the ongoing work of sharing the Good News of Jesus with everyone who lives in the County.

Two of the group of 20 were formally ‘welcomed’ into The Church of England having previously been ordained in other parts of the world.

Collectively they will serve in the following areas … Euxton, Broughton, Fleetwood, Preston (x5), Heapey, Withnell, Garstang, Leyland, Barrowford, Hoole, Blackburn, Feniscowles, Feniscliffe, Wesham and Chorley. 

The youngest ordinand this year is 25 while the oldest is 63. Each of the 20 has their own personal faith story and journey to ordination to share.

In the week leading up to ordination weekend the Diocese released a series of videos on its social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) featuring six of the group telling their stories, alongside a video of the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev. Philip North, in which he talks about the importance of this moment in the church calendar.

The videos provide insight into how the ordinands featured came to faith and their journeys to this moment. They have received a more than 22,000 views so far and they remain available to watch.

There were three services across this past weekend: at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday for the Deacons and then two more for the Priests, at St Francis, Feniscliffe and Christ Church, Wesham, both on Sunday.

Bishop Philip ordained the Deacons while Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, ordained the Priests at the Wesham service and Rt Rev. Dr Joe Kennedy, Bishop of Burnley, ordained the Priests at the Feniscliffe service.

In the video series ordinands taking part share something of how they came to know Jesus and what ordination will mean to them.

Amanda Hughes, who will serve at Hoole St Michael, says: “I’ve always known that God has been there for me but I didn’t expect to become a priest at the age of 64. I’m now looking forward to developing our parish in our prayer life and bible study while learning how best to love our neighbours. Ultimately it’s about bringing people to Jesus and nurturing them in their journey to faith.”

Chris Metcalfe, serving at Heapey St Barnabas and Withnell St Paul, says: “In the parishes where I will serve I hope to enrich our young folk alongside other generations in their own faith journeys, through worship, prayer, scripture and teaching. Might Jesus be calling you too in some way? If so, reach out to your local church and have a conversation with someone.”

Then there is Heesoo Warner, who will serve at Barrowford St Thomas and Newchurch-in-Pendle St Mary. In her video, Heesoo says: “When I was 13 years old my best friend died and that experience had a profound impact on me and deepened my faith. As I searched for hope and meaning I began to read the Bible every day and discovered the Word of God is truly living and active. In turn, God gave me a growing desire to serve others and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In my new role I’m looking forward to being part of a community where people grow together in faith and experience God’ love in a life changing way.

John Lisle will serve at Blackburn St Luke’s and he says: “I was in my mid-teens when I met with Jesus, who died for us. To be invited by God to join him in establishing his Kingdom here as a Priest is such an honour and privilege. I will continue to serve at St Luke’s in Blackburn where we are seeing God break into people’s lives in power, setting them free in many ways, including from addiction and debt.”

Meanwhile, Matt Lockwood, of Beacon Church Blackpool said in his video: “In communities like the one where I serve, people often live on the margins of society and have names spoken over them that are unhelpful and unkind. I was bullied most of my childhood and then I came to know Jesus and the names paled into significance compared to the name that Jesus spoke over me … one who was chosen and loved, for whom Christ was willing to die and be raised to life. As priest it is that hope I want to bring into our community.”

And Sarah Woolford, serving at Preston St Stephen adds: “I didn’t know much about Christianity until my 20s until a colleague at work who lived out an authentic faith who encouraged me to attend church where things just started to make sense and I decided I wanted to follow Jesus. The call to ordained ministry has come later in life for me. It took me a while to get used to the idea but I’m so glad I did. I am looking forward to serving my community and proclaiming the Gospel there.”

The full videos from which these quotes are taken are available on the Diocesan social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

Reflecting on the weekend, Bishop Philip commented: “Each year, the gift of ordination places before us a powerful reminder: God is still calling, still equipping, still sending people out in love and service. To witness these men and women say their ‘yes’ to that call is always deeply moving.

"As in previous years, our ordinands come from many different walks of life, yet they share a courage to follow where Christ leads. Their gifts will undoubtedly bear fruit for years to come.

"Ordinations are joyful but they are also moments of renewal, signs that God’s work among us continues with fresh energy and hope. I look forward with great confidence to all that will unfold through the ministry of our new Deacons and Priests across Lancashire. Please hold them in your prayers as they begin this next chapter." 

Captions for the above pictures, top to bottom:
Pictures by Sara Cuff for Blackburn Diocese

• All of this year’s ordinands pictured while on retreat at Whalley Abbey before the ordination weekend alongside our bishops, archdeacons and the Bishop’s Chaplain
• All of this year’s Deacons are pictured together following their ordination service at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday with, centre left to right; Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn and Rt Rev. Dr Joe Kennedy, Bishop of Burnley
• At the first Priests’ service on Sunday are newly-priested Rev. Matt Lockwood and Rev. Jono Peatman (front centre) with (l-r) Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster; Rev. Dr Andy Meeson, Bishop’s Chaplain; Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn; the Venerable David Picken, Archdeacon of Lancaster and Rt Rev. Dr Joe Kennedy, Bishop of Burnley
• At the second Priests’ service on Sunday are newly-priested Rev. John Lisle (third left); Rev. Amanda Hughes, third right and Rev. Sara Marriott, right alongside (l-r) Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn; The Venerable Jane Atkinson, Archdeacon of Blackburn; Rt Rev. Dr Joe Kennedy, Bishop of Burnley and Rev. Dr Andy Meeson, Bishop’s Chaplain