Ordinations 2026

Hello. My name’s Sue Hodgetts. I live in Broseley, Shropshire, uh, in the Diocese of Hereford, and God willing, I am due to be ordained in July 2026.

My journey to ministry has been a very long one. I was first called in 1973.

I was at a church called St. Matthew’s in Tipton, which is my hometown in the Black Country. I remember my calling really clearly, and I remember my response. It was a bold and courageous, “No. Go away.”

I know you’re not supposed to say no to God, but in my defense, it was a very difficult time to actually turn around to somebody and say, “I’ve been called,” especially as a woman.

My passions lay in the areas of music and drama, so I graduated from music college and teacher training college, and did a small stint in the music business before I settled to teaching.

It was then I really realized how much I loved young people, especially those who survived on the margins of society. No matter what their background or their faith, they needed love. They needed God’s love, and together we were able to build hope and confidence. More importantly, they taught me such a lot.

After finished teaching, I began getting these nudges. Would you do this? Would you do that? Would you be part of this? Would you organize that? And it was then I once again realized that I was being called, but this time I responded with a bold and courageous yes.

So here I am, waiting and excited for July 2026.

Hello. My name is Ian, and I’m a third-year student with CGH training for ordination, and I hope to be ordained this July in Hereford. My journey began in in September 1985 at the Ely Faith Convention, where I came to believe that Jesus was indeed my Lord and Savior. I was rather surprised by this, as I had no desire to be a Christian.

A few days later, my friend, who had invited me to the event, called at my house with a gift of a Bible. Inside the flying leaf, he had written a quote from Luke 18 that said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Underneath that, he wrote in his own words, “Go for it, man.” Going for it is exactly what I’ve been trying to do ever since.

I trained as a lay reader and served as one for thirty years, a role that I loved. However, a few months before COVID started, I had a strong sense that God was calling me to the ordained ministry. I was rather reluctant to do so, as I was quite content as I was.

Eventually, I sought to have that sense of vocation tested, and I began the journey that has led me to this point. Although events in my personal life over the last four and a half years have been extremely difficult and tragic, I’ve never lost sight of my vocation or the peace of mind that following God’s leading has given me, and so I’m grateful for the love, prayers, and support of those around me.

I can testify to the truth of those words that what is impossible with man is possible with God. I’m very much looking forward to serving as curate in the benefices of Pontesbury and Stiperstones, why I intend to continue going for it, man.

Hi, I’m Pauline, and I’m gonna be ordained Deacon in July, and I’m really looking forward to being part of the community in Madeley

I grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, becoming a Christian at a youth weekend away after a fun game of trust falls. The leader asked me, Pauline, do you really know the Lord? My life has been about delight in the Lord and adventure. In my 20s, I met Dave, my husband, an RAF officer while skiing, and we have three adult children and three grandchildren.

I love worship, healing prayer, and the festival New Wine. In 2009, I had a clear call into community leadership with the words, keep me from just singing, Lord. This journey revealed a pioneering spirit and love for unity in the church. My work as a chartered accountant and then senior performance specialist in the Audit Commission had prepared me for new adventures following Jesus.

Firstly, I initiated 24-7 prayer across the churches in Telford. My childhood exposure to religious division had sown a deep heart for God’s love in unity and diversity.

In 2012, God opened work with prison leavers. Somehow, the combination of audit and prayer ministry had provided a skill set that could help set the captives free. Now Yellow Ribbon is a thriving charity working with over 1,000

prison leavers in the time it’s been going with 12 staff. 10 years on, God showed the power of Holy Communion to set people free. After ordination, I can’t wait to be the curate in Madeley.