The eight men and women have begun ministry as deacons in parish churches across the Diocese of Derby following a service on Sunday, 1 July in Derby Cathedral.
The special service was led by the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern.
The new deacons include a former IT project manager, an international business director and former teachers.
Rod Prince, Amanda Marshall, Bruce Johnson, Jan Hutchinson, Caro Hemmings, Joel Bird, Carolyn Baker and Jill Hancock will now start a three-to-four-year post of curate, training alongside experienced vicars.
Deacons are normally ordained as priests after a year.
For more pictures, please see us on Flickr.
