Men and women from all over Derbyshire, will be presented to the Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern, to be deacons on Sunday 30 June (10.45am) in Derby Cathedral.

Ordination to the priesthood takes place after the candidate has served as deacon for one year.

On Saturday 29 June (4pm), five deacons will be ordained priest at St Oswald’s, Ashbourne by the Bishop of Repton, Humphrey Southern.

The same day (Saturday 29 June, 4pm), eight more deacons are to be ordained priest at St John the Baptist, Buxton, by Dr Redfern.

All of the services will include readings, hymns and music to reflect the joy and solemnity of the occasion as men and women are ordained to serve in churches across the Diocese.

They will be joined by family, friends and representatives of the congregations in which they will serve.

Dr Redfern said today: “I urge everyone to remember these people in their prayers as they approach the next stage of their unique calling to serve God in His Church in this Diocese. We also remember those who have supported them so far and will continue to do so in the future.”