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 THREE members of the same family were ordained as deacons at Chester Cathedral on Sunday 4 July, 2011.
A former producer of TV soap Brookside, Sue Mayo, was joined by her daughter Jenny Mayo-Lythall and her son-in-law Andrew Lythall.
The ceremony at the cathedral was extra-memorable for Andrew, aged 24, and Jenny, 26, because the date coincided with the first anniversary of their marriage. The couple met while being trained for ordination at Cranmer Hall, St John’s College, Durham.
Liverpudlian Sue Mayo, 56, worked as a theatre director and TV director and producer, before becoming a Christian about 17 years ago. Her daughter, while still a young girl, introduced mum to the faith after having attended a Church of England holiday club in Cheadle, Stockport. For the past eight years Sue has worked as a schools evangelist in Stockport.
She said: “Most people would think my life has been very varied and exciting, working in theatre and TV, but it is working for Christians in Schools Trust in Stockport that has given me the most job satisfaction. Now God has called me to be ordained in my work in schools, and I’m very excited about what the future holds.”
Sue also works with Edgeley and Cheadle Heath parish in Stockport.
Sue’s daughter Jenny, formerly a probation service officer, will works as a curate in Norbury parish, Hazel Grove. Jenny said: “I feel ready to start my new ministry. Everybody has been warm and welcoming in Norbury.
“Serving two years as a probation officer has left me with a desire to work with people on the edge of society. I hope that will be useful in my new role.”
Jenny’s husband Andrew, originally from Congleton and formerly a student at Keele University, is a curate at St George’s Church, Buxton Road, Stockport.
He said: “Getting ordained feels like a huge responsibility, but I feel I’ve been well prepared through my training in Durham for these past three years. I’m looking forward to starting my new role in a busy parish with a great boss, the Vicar, Canon Alan Bell.”
As well as the service to ordain 18 deacons, the Diocese of Chester has this summer already ordained 19 people as priests, including a retired senior police officer. Clergy are traditionally ordained as priests a year after first becoming deacons.
Chester's Diocesan Director of Ordinands, the Revd Ray Samuels, said: “We are encouraged in this diocese by the good quality of people who come forward to explore ordained ministry.
“Each year we ordain deacons and priests from a variety of backgrounds and age ranges – from a 21-year-old to those in their late sixties this year. It is particularly encouraging, both across the country and in our diocese,that people in their twenties are feeling called to serve God in this way.
"The Church has a rigorous and well-tested process to help people discern their vocations, and the high quality training we offer is certainly appreciated."
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