A Durham City-Centre Church is celebrating after six members of its congregation were recommended to train as clergy this year.
zoom call of the six candidates, with the Revd Arun Arora zoom call of the six candidates, with Revd. Arun Arora.

The Vicar of St Nic’s, Arun Arora hailed the “extraordinary news” of “this number of people from a single parish to be recommended for training in a single year.” 

The future vicars will be starting training for ordination in October 2020.

Mary, 21, Durham University graduate, who will be one of the youngest ordinands, recalls: “When I was eight, my family and I fled from Iran due to fear of religious persecution.”
Years later, she “gradually” realised “I was being called to serve as a priest.”

Sarah, 23, also a graduate from Durham University, explained: “During university I had not expected to be called to ordained ministry, and yet as I began to explore what God was calling me to do with my life I realised how much he has been preparing me for this role all through my life.” 

Ben, 24, due to complete his PhD from Durham University, said: “I'm immensely grateful for the many people who have encouraged me in my discernment, especially the many wonderful people of St Nic's.

“I trust that God has good plans for me – as he does for every one of us.”

Sarah, 43, trained teacher and mother-of-three, explained: “I love serving my community and sharing God’s great love with the people around me.” She added that she is excited “to encourage others to do the same.” 

Jenny, 33, a mother-of-two, shared: “I long to be a person who bridges the gap between the church and the world; the person who stands in the doorway of church ensuring the door is kept wide open both ways.” 

Rachel, 25, Ministry Experience Volunteer Scheme Co-ordinator at Durham Diocese, describes her passion for “the unique role of the Church in providing unmatched love, hope and family at the heart of communities.” “I felt compelled to be part of this,” she explained. 

Arun said: “Each of these wonderful people will be an enormous blessing to the ministry, mission and service of the Church of England.”

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Source URL: https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/what-we-believe/durham-church-celebrates-six-vicars-be