15 September 2025
Our new Deacons were ordained at three services held at Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday 14 September.
Ordination services
There were three services held at, 11am, 2pm and 4.30pm.
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, ordained deacons at both the 11am and 2pm service and the ordinations at the 4.30pm service were conducted by the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Rt Rev Rob Munro.
The deacons ordained at the 4.30pm service serve in parishes that receive extended episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Ebbsfleet in accordance with the Church of England’s five guiding principles, which provide provision for those within the Church of England who, on grounds of theological conviction, do not receive the ministry of female bishops or priests.
This year's ordinands are pictured above during their ordination retreat at The Diocesan House of Retreat, Pleshey.
Watch the services on the links below:
11am service
The Bishop of Chelmsford the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani ordained:
- Karen Eyles
- Liz Gloyn
- Nik Wright
- Jan Kersey
- Linda Saville
- Mary Namubiru
- Mike Simmonds
- Jo Jeffery
- Stef Jones
- Beccy Gregerson
2pm service
The Bishop of Chelmsford the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani ordained:
- Deji Adesida
- Carly Lucas
- Neil Houghton
- Sharon Yates
- Amy Taylor
- Jacob Farley
- Marcel Firth
- Michelle Steptoe
4.30pm service
The Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Rt Rev Rob Munro ordained:
- Samuel Topping
- Peter Tibbott
A selection of photos from the services can be viewed below:
Meet our new Deacons
We introduced our new Deacons on our social media channels in the run up to the ordination services. Search @chelmsdio on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky with the hashtag #ChelmsdioNewRevs.
Barking Area
Barking Archdeaconry
Deji Adesida serving at St Chad’s, Chadwell Heath (Barking and Dagenham Deanery)
Samuel Topping serving at Becontree, St George & Chigwell School (Barking and Dagenham Deanery)
Carly Lucas serving the Benefice of Rainham with Wennington (Havering Deanery)
West Ham Archdeaconry
Neil Houghton serving at Walthamstow, St Saviour (Waltham Forest)
Sharon Yates serving at St Mark’s, Forest Gate (Newham Deanery)
Amy Taylor serving at Aldersbrook, St Gabriel (Redbridge Deanery)
Jacob Farley serving at All Saints with St Andrew's Woodford Wells (Redbridge Deanery)
Marcel Firth serving at St Mary’s, Great Ilford (Redbridge Deanery)
Michelle Steptoe serving at Holy Trinity Barkingside (Redbridge Deanery)
Bradwell Area
Chelmsford Archdeaconry
Karen Eyles serving at Burnham-on-Crouch St Mary the Virgin (Maldon & Dengie Deanery)
Liz Gloyn serving withing the Epping Team Ministry (Epping Forest and Ongar Deanery)
Southend Archdeaconry
Jan Kersey serving the Benefice of Benfleet, Thundersley, and Hadleigh (Hadleigh Deanery)
Linda Saville serving at St John’s, Southend (Southend Deanery)
Mary Namubiru serving at LifeStreams Church (Southend Deanery)
Mike Simmonds serving at Westcliff-on-Sea St Saviour (Southend Deanery)
Nik Wright serving the Parish of Wickford and Runwell (Basildon Deanery)
Colchester Area
Colchester Archdeaconry
Jo Jeffery serving at Christ Church, Colchester (Colchester Deanery)
Stef Jones serving at St Mark’s & St Luke’s, Colchester (Colchester Deanery)
Beccy Gregerson serving in the West Mersea Benefice (Witham Deanery)
Stansted Archdeaconry
Peter Tibbott serving Henham, Elsenham and Ugley (Saffron Walden Deanery)
Ordained Ministry in our Diocese
If you feel that God is calling you to a role in the Church, there are many different opportunities. A good first step is to talk to your local clergy. You can find out more about Ministry in the Church of England, including ordained ministry by visiting the 'Exploring Vocations' page of our website.
