She will then serve in the parish of St. Thomas, Brampton near Chesterfield

Ordination to the diaconate means that the new clergy serve as deacons for a year before then being ordained into the priesthood.

Ruth, 45, is trained in flute, voice and piano and has worked in a secondary school as a music teacher in London is currently a worship leader at St Alkmund's and has also sang with the London Community Gospel Choir.

She has lived in many parts of the world ranging including Australia and is no stranger to the church having been brought up in a vicarage. 

She and other candidates for ordination to the diaconate and priesthood will begin a retreat on Wednesday 1st July which will lead up to their ordination the following Sunday. The retreat will be led by Canon Flora Winfield, Secretary for Inter-Church and Anglican Relations at Lambeth palace.

Ruth said today: "Much as Ridley Hall has been an amazing experience, I shall be so happy to exchange writing essays with a new start in Chesterfield!"

Dr Redfern said today: "The ordination service is one of the highlights of the year for the whole Diocese and I hope that the Diocese will pray for all of the candidates as they approach this momentous day."

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