THE Bishop of Worcester ordained a new priest for the Halas Team of Churches this weekend.

Sarah Brush, who just completed a year as a curate, attended the service at Worcester Cathedral on Saturday and will now be able to hold Holy Communion.

Bishop of Worcester John Inge said: "Ordination services are a great celebration of God’s call to serve.

"It is always a joy to ordain those who have responded to God's call to dedicate their life to the service of God and other people in ministry."

The Halas Team of Churches include St. Peter's, Cradley, St John the Baptist, Halesowen, St Margaret of Antioch, Hasbury, St Peter's, Lapal and St Kenelm's, Romsley.

Reverend Brush was delighted to be ordained after enjoying being a curate in the Black Country for the past year.

She said: "In my first year of curacy I’ve been really blessed to be part of a strong team ministry in Halas.

"I’ve learnt a great deal from my clergy colleagues and from the wonderful people of the Black Country.

"It’s great to work in a team of churches which are so diverse but which pull together and respect each other’s differences."

Rev Brush previously was the Diocese of Worcester's youth worker for six years and a university lecturer in Latin and Medieval history.

She said: “I’ve been working mostly at St Peter’s Cradley where I’ve engaged with our three local primary schools and helped with our all age services. "I’ve also participated in growing the church’s reputation as a centre for well-being and the creative arts.

"I organised an art exhibition and arts fair in September and more recently I’ve established a new creative group for adults called Make Space which meets each month to try out new crafts as we chat and pray together."

As well as enjoying the innovative ways of attracting people to church Rev Brush is also looking forward to the more traditional aspects of being a priest.

She said: “I’ve felt very privileged to help people at some of the toughest times through funeral ministry and to bring Holy Communion to those unable to get to church.

"In my second year of curacy as priest I look forward to welcoming people to share in the bread and wine of the Eucharist in our team of churches."