Chris Morgan's ordination by the Bishop of London at St Paul's

Four new deacons have been ordained to join Bishop of Stepney Adrian Newman’s growing team of clergy in London’s deprived East End—including an embalmer and a charity worker.

Bishop of Stepney Adrian Newman and his four new deacons after their ordination at St Paul's

Chris Morgan, who works as an embalmer, joins the East End’s ‘mother’ church of St Dunstan & All Saints in Stepney.

James Hughesdon, a trained sports coach, worked for the Social Enterprise Coalition and joins St Paul & St Mark parish church in Old Ford.

Sandra McCalla, who practiced as a barrister before attending theological college, joins the Poplar Team Ministry, while Charis Enga, who worked in marketing, is joining Christ Church in Highbury.

“There isn’t a better place for people to start out in ministry than East London,” said Bishop Newman.

James Hughesdon's ordination by Bishop of London at St Paul's

“The whole of life is here, and these new deacons will help the church continue its history of serving the diverse communities that make up the kaleidoscope of the East End.”

They were ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, among a total of 28 new deacons aged 25 to 63 given ordination after three years’ training for the London Diocese, on their first step towards the Church of England priesthood.

[pictures: Graham Lacdao]