We are delighted to share that the 2026 Michaelmas Ordinations in the Diocese of Leicester took place over the weekend, with three joyful services held at Leicester Cathedral.
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, The Lord Bishop of Leicester, presided on Saturday afternoon (3 October), ordaining four priests - Mike, Ralph, Josh and Sneha.
In the evening, the Rt Revd Luke Irvine-Capel, The Bishop of Richborough, ordained Michal priest.
On Sunday (4 October), Bishop Martyn ordained six deacons – John, Paul, Henry, Jacob, Chris, and Cameron.
Hundreds gathered in the Cathedral over the three occasions to witness and celebrate the ordinations, including friends, family, colleagues and the church communities of those being made deacon and priest.
A different sermon was given at each service by the Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough.
Across the three ordination sermons, one central thread emerged: ordained ministers are set apart, not from the world, but for God and for the life of the world.
At the first priesting, the bells of Loughborough became an image of lives shaped by grace and given a voice to sound the gospel, call people to Christ and bear witness to the true Light.
At the second, the washing of feet revealed the shape of priesthood: beneath every chasuble is a towel, and the hands that break bread and lift the chalice must also carry the basin and touch the wounds of God’s people.
At the ordination of deacons, Jesus’ prayer in John 17 offered three enduring words: keep them, sanctify them, send them.
Bishop Saju said: “Our new deacons and priests have not been removed from ordinary life, with all its joy, pain, doubt and longing. They have been sent more deeply into it, to serve where Christ is already present and to make his love visible.”
Last week, the ordinands came together in retreat for a few days at Launde Abbey, led by the Revd Angela Sheard - a tutor from Queens Theological Foundation in Birmingham - along with the Revd Sue Willetts, Diocesan Director of Ordinands.
“We have had a lovely sunny time at Launde, with times of silence interspersed with worship and teaching and fun,” said Revd Sue.
During the retreat, Revd Angela led sessions exploring John 1.35–42 and the five images of priestly ministry from the Ordinal, offering plenty to reflect on through music and images from around the world.
Worship was woven throughout the retreat, beginning with a reflective service that encouraged the ordinands to look back with thankfulness and be anointed for their new ministries, and finishing with communion around the fire, accompanied by the sounds of owls and deer and the crackling flames.
There was also time for fun and fellowship, with an evening of friendly competition between the priests-to-be and deacons-to-be, tackling riddles and questions on Scripture, while enjoying one another’s company, learning together and sharing in prayer.
The retreat concluded with the Bishop’s Charge, Eucharist, and foot-washing, reminding the ordinands that Christ’s loving service always shapes Christian ministry.
Reflecting on the last few days, and the journey to this point, Bishop Saju said: “We thank God for a deeply prayerful ordination retreat and a joyful weekend of ordinations.
“We are especially grateful to Angela Sheard, who led the retreat with wisdom and generosity, and to Sue Willetts, whose ministry as Director of Ordinands has nurtured and equipped so many people through discernment and formation.”
He added: “As Sue prepares to retire from this role, we thank God for all she has given and pray for the next season of her ministry.
“Above all, we give thanks for each of our new deacons and priests, for their distinctive stories of calling, and for the parishes, chaplaincies and communities in which God has placed them to serve.”
It has been a privilege for the bishops, Revd Sue and all who have worked with them, to get to know each of our ordinands along the way and to play a part in nurturing the gifts they bring to the ministry of Christ’s Church.
“It is such a privilege to have travelled with an initially scared, and often confused, group of individuals to discover and then listen to what God is saying to them, and then see them act upon it,” said Revd Sue. “As we look to ministry for the next ten years and beyond, these people bring a particular wealth of skill and innovation as well as grace and mercy to Leicester and Leicestershire, but maybe you or someone you know has things to bring too?”
Meet our new priests...
Mike Chaldecott
After 42 years working in various leadership roles in manufacturing companies in UK, Poland and France, I was drawn to ordination as a path to provide rural ministry and service to my local communities. My surprised French boss jokingly said that I was moving from “saving costs to saving souls”!
I became a Christian through Guildford Crusaders, a Christian youth-group based on outdoor activities.
To relax I enjoy jogging, cycling and exploring the World with my wonderful wife.
We have three grown-up children and one cheeky 3 year old granddaughter who calls me ‘Ranran’.
The journey has been enlightening, and I am excited to see where God leads me as I make my tentative shuffling first steps in this new phase of priestly ministry.
I had the fantastic pleasure and privilege to be supported in my new vocation by my talented Training Incumbent (Rev Monica), our Director of Ordination (Rev Sue), my Spiritual Director (Rev Jonathan), and my wife, proving that saying “it takes a church to raise a curate” is true!
Ralph Chamberlain
My year as a self supporting deacon has gone by quickly. It has been challenging not being in the benefice full time, but church members in the benefice have been very welcoming, accommodating and understanding, something for which I am immensely grateful. God is gracious and continues to form me. Following the sudden death of my father this year I feel blessed that both my godfather, and a close family friend who was instrumental in my journey of faith will be able to take part in the ordination service today. I am also deeply thankful for the support and patience of my wife, daughter and son this past year.
Josh Crick de Boom
I've really enjoyed serving as Deacon at the Church of the Martyrs and as chaplain at the University of Leicester. The Martyrs has been a great opportunity to get immersed in an intercultural worshipping context, to learn so much about intercultural ministry and to challenge myself in loads of different areas. When I started my discernment, I was reluctant but I couldn't get away from the sense that God was calling me in this direction. This year has given me far greater confidence in my call to serve in the local Church. I've surprised myself how much I've enjoyed working with our local school and the Martyrs children's groups, our summer holiday club was a real highlight. I'm really looking forward to presiding at communion this year and all the joys and challenges that come with ministry.
Michal Kmet
Born and raised in Slovakia, I was baptised as a child, and my faith matured through Confirmation. With a degree in teaching, I later moved to the UK, where I worked as a machine operator before discerning God’s call to ordination. My Deacon year has been a true blessing, serving the community both within and beyond the Church and sharing the Gospel through action and preaching. As I begin this new phase of ministry, I am excited to bring people to Christ and Christ to people through the sacramental life of the Church. I enjoy music, history, reading, family, friends, and my two cats, Hercule and Artur.
Sneha Ninan
I first made the decision to follow Christ aged 13 and sensed a call to Christian ministry a decade later. However at that time I did not know what to do about it and eventually buried the idea. However God did not forget and 30 years later my journey to the priesthood began at Emmanuel Church in Loughborough. It is exciting to finally be at this point when I can fully say yes to God’s plans for my life. Since being ordained as a Deacon last year, I have enjoyed discovering more of parish ministry at Rothley Parish Church where I am based - meeting people, hearing their stories, preparing and baptising candidates, and experiencing the depth and beauty of Church of England liturgy through all seasons of life, from baptisms and weddings to funerals. I have also loved planning intergenerational services and encouraging new leaders and look forward to building on this in this next phase of ministerial service.
Meet our new deacons...
John Andrews
I became a Christian between University and school. I read the gospels and was astonished by what I read there. I remain astonished to this day.
I was a teacher. I am a father and grandfather. Our particular lives have purpose, even if we don’t understand them. So delight in my family, work and church comes not only from their uniqueness but also from knowing we are all held in Christ.
My ordination training was at St Hild - an amazing year. I did a placement here at the Cathedral, a wonderful experience - thank you!
I am excited to go back to my sending Benefice and to learn to see the Benefice again as a Deacon.
Paul Armstrong
My initial career started in the RAF, and on selection for officer training I was sent for a university education in engineering. Next, I worked within R&D, often visiting other countries and I spent the last 6 years of working within sales. I like rebuilding small aeroplanes and flying has been a passion for 50 years. I have two grown up children and three grandchildren.
My Christian journey developed in 2017 after being invited to experience the story, where I felt as if I had joined a new family. After becoming a rural PCC treasurer, I felt the need explore faith, further realising it may be a call to come forward and help lead. Exploring that calling through the Journey in Faith course, I went on to theological training with St Mellitus college in Nottingham, and I am now training with St Marys in Lutterworth, where I hope to spend some time exploring rural focal ministry.
Henry Booth
My earliest memories are, my mother reading bedtime stories to me, usually a passage from the bible. My fascination with the Old Testament characters, then Jesus and His disciples grew. We always finished with prayers and the Lord’s Prayer.
From being little and attending church a very deep loving relationship for Jesus developed. Through the twists and turns of life, gaining many life skills, my calling to serve Jesus grew stronger and stronger. Showing that whatever happens, God calls you just at His right time. What a delightful privilege.
Hobbies are; days out with Sandra my wife, reading and gardening.
Jacob Godsell
Once an adamant atheist, I am now a passionate born-again believer, having experienced the transformative power of God. Following the loss of a loved one, I began questioning whether there was more to life. During a Christianity Explored Course, I gave my life to Jesus, finding peace and assurance in His death and resurrection. After my baptism, I began to explore ministry as a church intern, eventually leaving my career in estate agency to become a ministry trainee and pursue ordained ministry. I have spent three years training at Wycliffe Hall. Esther and I welcomed our daughter, Tabitha, in July and are settling into life in Loughborough.
Chris Judson
My journey to ordination has spanned 30 years and I’m grateful to those who have nurtured and encouraged me along the way. I’m a Chartered Accountant working in the social housing sector. I trained for ordination through the Caleb stream at St Mellitus College. I live in Bottesford with my wife Monica and two dogs; Belle and Treacle. Between us we have five grown up children. Monica and I enjoy going to the theatre, visiting art galleries, and watching cricket. I am a Nottingham Forest fan and a keen gardener. I am excited to serve as an ordained minister.'
Cameron Lewis
For the past two years, I have had the privilege of training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. Before starting my training, I worked as a social worker, supporting fostering households. The call to pursue ordination training was an invitation to slow down and listen to God, rather than avoiding or delaying the process of discernment. Throughout this journey, I have received tremendous support from my family, friends, and church communities. For relaxation, I enjoy spending quality time with my daughters, Edith and Francesca. I love going for walks in the countryside and visiting the gym.
Could God be Calling You?
Why not take a look at the vocation pages on our diocesan website.
If you lead young people, The Call Project is a new short course for young people from Yr6 onwards thinking about what God might be asking them to be and do for in the future. Find out more here.
Please pray for all those being ordained throughout the Church at this time. Please also pray for the colleges and courses where candidates from our diocese have been trained, their training incumbents, and the parish communities in which they will serve.