A DEACON in Stourport is looking forward to serving her parish as priest after being ordained at Worcester Cathedral.

Julia Quinn was one of 12 candidates to be ordained by the Bishop of Worcester on Saturday (June 22), after serving Stourport and Wilden for the past year.

She will now be able to preside at the Holy Communion and already has a date set for her first wedding.

Julia said: "It has been a pleasure to serve as a deacon in the parish of Stourport-on-Severn and Wilden.

"I have greatly enjoyed my first year of curacy. Everyone has been very welcoming and I have had the opportunity to meet may new people.

"It has been exciting to see where God is at work in the different activities of my new parish and wonderful to journey alongside those involved.

"Just a few of the memorable moments include dancing joyfully in last year’s heatwave along with those at Dementia Cafe, playing and praying with Lego at Families@4 services, celebrating at the planting of an apple tree brought specially from Germany to mark our link with the church in Barby, and making follow the star decorations with the children visiting Wilden Church’s Christmas market."

She added: "There has been much to learn about being a part-time non-stipendiary minister and I am grateful to all who have helped me explore my role.

"As my ordination as priest approaches, I look forward to continuing to serve my parish in this new way.

"It will be a great privilege to offer God’s blessing and preside at communion."