NINE new priests will be ordained in St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday.

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, will lead the service which is being live streamed. Each of the candidates will only be able to bring three ‘supporters’ with them to minimise the congregation.

The newly ordained priests will work in communities in Wrexham, Connah’s Quay, Welshpool, Llanasa (near Prestatyn), Llandudno Junction and churches in Flintshire.

The nine candidates for priesthood this year are:

  • George Bearwood, a former musician, producer, tattoo artist and DJ who is working in the Alyn Mission Area (which includes communities to the north and west of Wrexham).
  • Luke Bristowe, from Hope Street in Wrexham, the diocese of St Asaph’s newest church which opened in a former clothing store earlier this year.
  • Helen Dawson – Assistant Curate in Borderlands Mission Area.
  • Toby Jones who was born in Australia and moved to Wales in 2013. Toby is a keen cyclist and is currently chaplain to Welsh Cycling and the Welsh Racing Academy/Welsh Cycling Team. He is working in Pool Mission Area (which includes communities around Welshpool).
  • Gregor Lachlann-Waddell was born in Scotland and grew up in Zambia where his parents are missionaries. As a deacon, he’s been encouraging his local churches to register as Eco-Churches and work towards better ways to care for creation. He’s working in the Byrn a Môr Mission Area (around Prestatyn, Meliden and Llanasa.)
  • Benjamin Lines is originally from Birmingham but has been living in north Wales for the last 14 years. He is a marathon runner and poet and has established an online ministry with his wife, Catrin (and often their young children) throughout the pandemic. Ben works in the Aberconwy Mission Area (which includes Llandudno, Deganwy and Llanrwst).
  • Joanne Mackriell was born in South Derbyshire and went to Westminster College in Oxford to study theology. She is looking at how craft and visual arts can be incorporated into faith journeys. Jo works in the Wrexham Mission Area.
  • James Thompson and his wife, Sandra run a small farm, breeding and showing Wensleydale Longwool Sheep. Jim works in the Pool Mission Area.
  • Gail Woodward is a former teacher who enjoys gardening. She’s working in the Borderlands Mission Area which includes Connah’s Quay, Buckley and Hawarden.

The Bishop of St Asaph said: “It’s wonderful to be celebrating the next step on the journey of ministry for these nine candidates as each of them are learning about the different parts of the diocese and the people they serve.

"From young to old, from new to old ways of ministry, we have a cohort of priests who give hope for the future.”

Last year, the nine candidates became deacons, the first stage of becoming a priest.

A service to ordain six deacons will take place the following weekend on Saturday, July 3.