EIGHT men and women joined the Diocese of Winchester’s team of clergy as they were ordained deacons at Winchester Cathedral.

Five women and three men, aged from 37 to 55, bring a huge breadth of background and experience to their new roles.

Between them, they have worked in a wide range of sectors, including teaching and the law, before responding to God’s call.

The bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Tim Dakin, ordained the new deacons following two to three years of training.

Deacons have a special role within the Church, often understood as the role of a servant as they take on a particular responsibility to serve the community and reach out to those in need.

Deacons will normally go on to be ordained as priests a year later.

One of the eight, Chris Dudgeon, 55, has spent 28 years working in the oil industry.

He initially trained as an offshore engineer, and was involved in designing platforms for finding and producing oil and gas from beneath the seabed.

For most of that time he has run his own technology management consultancy, advising major oil companies all over the world on research and development.

In 2013 his company was acquired by a larger Cambridge-based science and technology group, and shortly after that he made the leap to begin the process of training for ordination.

He will now become the new curate for the North Hampshire Downs benefice.

Chris said: “I am passionate about sharing God’s love with others, and the hope of new life that he offers through Jesus.

“I feel particularly called to serve and lead within the church, enabling it to share the good news of the gospel with everyone.

“I’m excited about pioneering new forms of church in rural areas that will enable more people to discover a personal relationship with God for themselves.

“It’s a privilege to be able to serve the whole community in our rural part of North Hampshire.

“I’m really excited to see what God’s already doing, with churches growing and lives changing, and I look forward to being part of this!”

Chris and his fellow new deacons will be working in churches across Hampshire and Dorset, leading public worship and serving their local areas in schools, hospitals and prisons, and by working in partnership with community groups to bring about social renewal and transformation.

Between them, they will take responsibility for contributing towards the work of the Church in the Diocese of Winchester.

Following the ordinations, Bishop Tim welcomed the new deacons to the diocese.

H said: “I am delighted to have ordained these eight new members of the clergy this weekend.

“Deacons lead by example, expressing Jesus’ love for the world through their prophetic service.

“We are very blessed in our Diocese that every year we welcome new members of the clergy from all walks of life, and the breadth of their previous experience enriches parishes across Hampshire and East Dorset.

“I look forward to working closely with all of our new deacons over the coming years.”

Those who were ordained were:

l Tasha Anderson, Arle Valley

l Chris Dudgeon, North Hampshire Downs

l Jonathan Evans, Christchurch

l Ali Hill, Southampton St Mary

l Helen O’Sullivan, North Hampshire Downs

l Hayley Richens, Hedge End St Luke

l Gill Sakakini, Tadley with Pamber Heath and Silchester

l Mike Trotman, Fordingbridge and Hyde and Breamore and Hale with Woodgreen