TWO new priests have spoken of their joy after being ordained to serve in churches in Redditch after spending a year training as curates.

Allison Davies, who serves at Holy Trinity Church, and Ian Evans, part of the Ipsley Church of England team, were officially ordained by the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr John Inge.

They were among seven people who became priests and another seven ordained as deacons to enter their first year of training as curates at Worcester Cathedral on Sunday.

Mr Evans, who is married to Judy and has two grown-up sons, has been balancing work as an assistant curate at Christ Church, Matchborough, and as a minister in secular employment, developing software for global company HCL.

He said: "In both the church and work environment I am listening and offering pastoral care as people share things of their lives - innocent conversations that lead to much deeper spiritual needs.

"Being curate in Matchborough has given me great insight into what it means to be church in a community setting, especially welcoming community neighbours to the annual Fun Fest and Christmas carol services.

"As this Christ led journey enters into priestly ministry for parish and workplace I'm looking ahead with both trepidation and excitement as the path unfolds."

Ms Davies said: "Working across the five churches of the Holy Trinity parish has been both exciting and challenging, not least because each church and community is so different to the others, but also because it has been and a privilege to get to know each church congregation.

"Meeting families who have brought their babies and young children for baptism into the church has been a real honour and leading these services where the children are formally welcomed into the church family has been such a wonderful and humbling experience.

"Ministering at special services, especially at Christmas and Easter time, and particularly when lots of children have come into church to learn more about God, has also been a real joy and blessing.

"Throughout the year I have been supported by other clergy and lay leaders within the parish and I have been so grateful for their on-going help and encouragement.

"So as I go into my second year of curacy, now as an ordained priest, I look forward with hope and faith to walking alongside others in these church communities in their journeys with God and serving in whatever ways God calls me."

Bishop John said: "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."