A WOMAN from Rhyl is set to become Wales’ youngest priest this weekend.

Revd Natasha Quinn Thomas, who is currently a deacon working in churches near Ruthin, has wanted to be a priest since the age of seven.

Now 25 years old, she is fulfilling her life-long calling and will be ordained by the Bishop of St Asaph on June 25.

Natasha will be joined by five men for the ordination service at St Asaph Cathedral, which will also be live streamed via YouTube.

Natasha said: “I’ve wanted to be a vicar since I met one at the age of seven who told me that they ‘helped people meet with Jesus.’

“I went home that day and told my Mum: ‘I’m going to be a vicar’. Since then, it has been a constant call affirmed by people around me.

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“I was ordained a deacon last year and have been serving in the Dyffryn Clwyd mission area which is a mostly rural setting.

“I grew up in Rhyl and then spent six years working in inner city churches, so the hills of the Vale of Clwyd were a totally new environment for me.

“I soon learnt to keep a pair of wellies handy in the car as some of the houses I visit within the mission area can be up country lanes.

“As I go forward for ordination this weekend, I am mostly looking forward to exercising my priestly ministry.

“The Eucharist is at the heart of my own faith and so I eagerly look forward to celebrating it once I am priested.”

The full list of candidates is:

• Stephen Hayes, an author, former Powys County Councillor and leader of Tanat-Vyrnwy Mission Area (which includes communities around Llansilin and Llanfylllin).

• Christopher Lawton, former Church Army Officer from Wrexham who is serving in Aber-Morfa mission area (which includes Rhyl, Bodelwyddan and Rhuddlan.)

• Patrick Williams, from Johnstown near Wrexham, who is retired and is serving in Wrexham mission area.

• Michael Winwood, a former Printer from Llangollen who is serving as a chaplain in HMP Berwyn in Wrexham and who will also work in the Maelor mission area (which includes areas around Bangor-on-Dee).

• Adrian Johnson, an advanced nurse practitioner in a GP practice in Connah's Quay, who is serving in Mold mission area.

• Natasha Quinn Thomas, who is serving in Dyffryn Clwyd mission area (which includes Ruthin and the surrounding communities).

Speaking ahead of the ordination service, the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, said: “I’ve been heartened by the different gifts and backgrounds our six candidates have brought to ministry in the last year and welcome them now to their new role as priests in the diocese.”

For the first time since 2019, the ordination service will take place in front of a full congregation.

COVID-19 restrictions in place in the last two years have limited numbers attending the service and a live stream helped family and friends to watch proceedings.

Despite the expectation of a full congregation, a live stream will also be available this year via the Diocese of St Asaph website: dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/ordinations.

On Saturday, July 2, five people will be ordained as deacons in St Asaph Cathedral.

The preacher at that service will the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, the Rt Revd John Lomas, who was formerly the Archdeacon of Wrexham.

Among those being ordained to the diaconate is Bishop John’s niece, Grace Lomas, who will serve in Penrhyn Bay in the Aberconwy mission area.

The Diocese of St Asaph is one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales, an autonomous province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

St Asaph Diocese is made up of 19 mission areas and more than 200 churches.