Meet Our New Deacons and Priests News Archive

Meet Our New Deacons and Priests

News
26 Jun 2025
Diocese of Winchester - Communications Team

On Sunday 29 June, 12 men and women within the Diocese of Winchester will be made deacons at Winchester Cathedral. Meet the ‘new revs’ who have followed God’s calling to ordination…

New Deacons Order of Service Download

James Allen

Serving his curacy in: The Benefice of Bitterne Park

Hi, I’m James, and I am married to the wonderful Hannah, and we have a puppy called Toby.

I have been training at Trinity College Bristol for the past three years. Before then, I worked for four years at two Churches in Hertfordshire.

I am excited to join the Winchester Diocese, serving my Curacy at Ascension Church in Southampton.

I would very much appreciate prayers for Hannah and me to settle into Ascension and Southampton well, and to keep faithfully following God’s call into this new adventure.

Claire Bentham

Serving her curacy in: The Dever Benefice

My name is Claire, I am married to Ian and we have three children aged between 8 and 12. Prior to training for ordination I have worked as a political speechwriter and a teacher, as well as being a stay-at-home mum doing lots of voluntary work. I now live in the beautiful village of Micheldever, where I am Chair of Governors for the village school, and I am really excited about serving as Assistant Curate in the seven village churches of the Dever Benefice.

I first felt a clear call to ordination 9 years ago, but spent a few years trying to convince God that I wasn’t the right person for the job before accepting that I need to follow where God leads me. Learning to let go of my plans and trust in God’s call (I never thought I would serve in rural ministry!) has been a key part of my journey over the last few years. I love to be in control so this is definitely still a work in progress, and I would love your prayers that I can grow in faith and follow wherever God takes me.

Anthony Cross

Serving his curacy in: The Benefice of Michelmersh & Awbridge & Braishfield & Farley Chamberlayne & Timsbury

I’m originally from Worcestershire and will be licensed to the Benefices of Braishfield and Somborne with Ashley, where I have been an ordinand for the past two years and involved for the past three. I first moved to Hampshire 28 years ago when I came to study at what was then King Alfred’s College, Winchester. After two years on the community at Lee Abbey in Devon, I returned briefly to Winchester before moving to Sheffield to train as an Occupational Therapist. I met my wife in Sheffield and we moved back to Winchester in 2008. I worked in forensic mental health in high, medium and low security hospitals for several years prior to starting my training at Sarum College in Salisbury. My family and I have lived in Romsey for the last 10 years, and we are very happy to be staying in our family home for the duration of my curacy.

I have a love of books and music, as well as an interest in the progress of England’s cricket team. I’m a clergy child and have almost always been involved in churches wherever I have lived. I have always known that I have God’s call to ordained ministry on my life, but the right time has come only in the last few years. Throughout my professional life I had an interest in and passion for chaplaincy. This lead to a role as a multi-faith co-ordinator, ensuring that all patients had ways of meeting their spiritual needs. Leading services in secure settings was one of the major experiences that contributed to my ordination journey thus far. Recognising that my career in healthcare was at an end was tough, but was part of the process that has brought me to where I am today.

Thank you in advance for your prayers. My specific requests are: for a smooth transition as my role changes from ordinand to curate, that my family will be supported and upheld in my change of role and balancing the pressures on my time to be fully present with them, and for all in the benefice as we set out on the next stage of this journey.

Dan Gardner

Serving his curacy in: The Benefice of Basingstoke

My name is Dan Gardner. I’m married to Gina and we have two lovely little girls who keep us on our toes! Over the years I’ve had the privilege of serving in churches in Southampton and Norwich, most recently as an ordinand at St Wins in Totton. I’ve been involved in a range of church roles over the past 15 years, from youth work and worship leading to teaching and pastoral care, and even spent a season working for a church in North Chicago.

Before training for ordination, I worked as a classical musician and then in city finance. Through all of it, I’ve always sensed a call to church leadership. Gina and I have been involved in church planting along the way, and in recent years, I’ve studied at St Mellitus College, where I’ve been deeply formed theologically, spiritually, and personally. It’s been a life-changing three years and I’m excited to be stepping into curacy.

Please pray for our family as we move and begin this new chapter. In particular, that our girls settle well into their new school and with new childminders, and that we as a family would find deep friendships and a strong sense of belonging quickly. Pray too that I would serve with wisdom, humility, and joy as I begin ordained ministry.

Abielle Inegbenebho

Serving her curacy in: Lord’s Hill and Lord’s Wood Benefice

I first came to Southampton to study music, thinking I’d only be here for three years, but nine years later, I’m preparing for ordination and about to begin a Curacy at Lord’s Hill Church, a church planted from the one I’ve called home for the past seven years.

Throughout my training, it’s been a joy to serve as the Youth Pastor at Saint Mary’s Church, and I’m now excited to step into ministry at Lord’s Hill, joining in with both youth and wider church life, and playing my part in God’s mission and ministry there.

I’d really appreciate your prayers for protection, peace, and rest, especially in the lead up to ordination, and also for the first season of Curacy as I settle into this new chapter.

Paul Lambert

Serving his curacy in: The Benefice of Southampton St Denys Portswood

Hi, I’m Paul, and I’ve been based in Southampton since I moved here almost 30 years ago as a student. I met my wife while at Uni, and we now have two teenage children. Over these years, I attended various churches and denominations in Southampton. I’ve been attending St James by the Park church for the last few years, including as an ordinand, while also studying at Trinity College Bristol. I am a member of the Community of Hopeweavers, which is an important influence on my faith life.

Before I started training for ordination, I worked in the IT department for Hampshire County Council in various roles, before deciding to test a sense of calling to ordained ministry.

I’m looking forward to serving my curacy in St Denys Parish, in Southampton, and getting to know the community there, seeing how we as a family may be a blessing to them, and seeing how God is moving there.

I would welcome prayer as we move across Southampton and find new rhythms in this next stage of our lives.

Before you read further… DID YOU KNOW that the generous contributions of our parishes through the Common Mission Fund helps pay for the training of our ordinands? We are so grateful for the way churches give faithfully through the Common Mission Fund, serving and blessing countless people and communities beyond their own parish walls. To find out more about CMF, check out our Common Mission Fund page.

Serena Merritt

Serving her curacy in: The Benefice of Fawley

Hi, my name is Serena. I am married to Ed, and we live in a place called Holbury in the Waterside area. I have felt a call to ordained ministry for about 10 years and am excited to be going into my deacon year! In the lead up to training for ordination I have been involved in ministry. Predominantly, youth and children’s ministry as I completed my youth and community work with theology degree in 2013. In 2022 I felt God was asking me to use my gifts in a wider context and take on the role as a non-ordained associate minster with oversight of Community and Outreach work.

My experiences have made me passionate about inclusivity of all ages and kinds of people in the church. This is something I hope my future ministry will be shaped by. I am praying that God will use me to glorify Him; and draw people to Himself.

Suzanne Newcombe

Serving her curacy in: The North Hampshire Downs Benefice

I was a teacher for 30 years and after retiring from this role became a care worker and Assistant Chaplain in a special school. The move from teaching gave me the time to train as a Licensed Lay Minister, a call I had known for a long time.

In the North Hampshire Downs Benefice I have had a varied and joyful ministry as a Pastoral Care Minister and also leading and preaching in the 12 churches in the benefice. The skills I leant as a teacher and care worked have been invaluable in the new roles in my benefice. It was not long after I was licensed that I had a strong call to ordination, one I took time to respond to but the sense of calling would not go away and I had a great sense of peace when I responded to it.

As a deacon I will be working largely in the parishes of Weston Patrick and Herriard and ask for prayers for the congregations and communities in these villages. For myself I would like prayer for wisdom on setting priorities and developing relationships with people in the parishes. I also ask for prayer for my husband and daughter whose support strengthens me and encourages me every day.

Alex Sains

Serving her curacy in: The Avon Valley Benefice

I have had a busy career for over 35 years as a speech and language therapist, author and trainer, firstly working in the NHS and then running my own company. My work has always been centred around supporting children to develop communication and friendship skills and a healthy self-esteem. I am also a keen musician and writer.

I am married to Brian and we have three children and four grandchildren. I live in Fordingbridge, where I will also take up an assistant curate post.

My passions are unity and inclusion and I would like prayer for resilience for myself and my family as I navigate a new role in my community.

Emily Stewart

Serving her curacy in: The Benefice of Southampton, St Mary

I’ll be doing my Curacy as part of the team at Saint Mary’s Southampton where I’ve been training alongside doing an MA in Theology, Mission and Ministry, at St Mellitus.

Hospital and prison chaplaincy was a large part of how God called me to ministry – I’m excited for this to continue over the next few years alongside growing and celebrating the beautiful things that are happening at Saint Mary’s.

Any free time I’ll usually spend by the sea or in the New Forest.

Please pray for the big changes ahead and for all the learning that is to come!

Lisa Thomas

Serving her curacy in: Brockenhurst Benefice & Boldre and South Baddesley Benefice

My path to ministry has been described as being a slow burn! I didn’t have any blinding light, any sudden feeling that I had been called for ordination but looking back I can see the God was always ahead of me calling me and being patient and loving when I either didn’t hear or didn’t listen. I can remember about 7 years ago sitting in church listening to my vicar preaching and thinking ‘I couldn’t do that’. Looking back that was probably God calling me but I didn’t realise it. So how have I got to being on the eve of ordination? I think it is the people that God has surrounded me with, people who could see what I couldn’t – or maybe didn’t want to – that God was calling me to ministry and who encouraged me to be open to it and to explore it. And God has continued to be patient with me, especially during my first year of training when I seemed to constantly asking ‘Are you sure Lord’ I am very grateful for the support from the School of Mission during my training and of my Fellowship Group.

I am moving to another parish for my curacy so please could you pray for the transition to go well and that I will be able to balance my work and my ministry and be a blessing to them.

Bruce Viney

Serving his curacy in: The Benefice of Bournemouth, St Swithun

As an atheist of forty year’s standing I never would have imagined that one day I would be ordained in the Church of England! And yet I will be at the end of June. I first felt called to ordination nearly 8 years ago but at the time would have exceeded the upper age limit by the time I finished training. It was suggested I try for Licenced Lay Ministry, and I was licenced in London in 2021. However the call to ordination persisted – God doesn’t tend to let go.

I am very fortunate to have been offered an assistant curacy at my current church, St Swithun’s in Bournemouth, and my training minister will be the excellent Revd Tim Matthews. It is an exciting and vibrant church, and I am really looking forward to all the opportunities to serve that this new role will bring. I will be in self-supporting ministry and will be continuing to work as a financial crime consultant.

I am married to Chisenga and we have three adult daughters and three grandchildren. I love rugby (watching only these days sadly) and am happy to talk about Harlequins rugby club at any time! I’d like to offer a huge thank you to all the wonderful people who have helped me on my discernment journey including Tim, the diocese, and the tutors at Winchester School of Mission. Please pray for my family and me, that the Lord will find a way for me to balance work and service in the church.