Applause and tears marked the ordination of new deacons and priests in the diocese this weekend.
Two deeply moving services at Salisbury Cathedral marked the next steps on the journey of faith for ten new deacons and 12 new priests and their supporting family, friends and congregations. 
Find out more about our new deacons and read some of their personal testimonies.
Bishop Stephen celebrated those who have pursued their calling into ordained ministry and their next steps in making Jesus known. Bishop Stephen said "The best thing about being a Bishop is ordaining new ministers to the diocese...now they go out to minister and make Jesus known." Watch Bishop Stephen here.
Bishop Andrew encouraged the congregation to make Jesus known in their own lives and encouraged the Deacons to use their testimony to inspire others. In his sermon, he said: "Each of our ordinands will have come, just as they are, because Christ has called them to this. And the one who calls them, friends, is also the one who also calls you (and me) this day. You needn’t worry if you don’t believe in God, it’s far more important that God believes in you. Or that you aren’t especially religious – indeed, it might help if you are not. You needn’t fear that you lack faith, for the one who calls you is faithful enough for two."
The service included the washing of the ordinands feet by Bishop Stephen, Bishop Karen and Bishop Andrew, a tradition representing the selfless love of Jesus, and each new Deacon had a blessing placed upon them - one of the many moments of joy throughout the service.
Joyful celebrations and congratulations were shared by family and friends.
Becca McDonnell, a newly ordained deacon who will be based in Sherborne Benefice, said "It's been a wonderful day, being well supported by my fellow ordinands, my friends and family and I am really excited to get started."
Please pray for our new deacons: Jeff Adams to serve in the parish of St James, Poole
William Burditt to serve in the parish of Blandford Forum
Michelle Cobley to serve in the benefice of Lychetts and Upton
Daniel Harland to serve in the benefice of Emmanuel Southill and St Mary's Chickerill
Richard Holness to serve in the benefice of Lynham and Woodhill
Deborah Mackay to serve in the parish of Wilton with Netherton and Fugglestone
Rebecca McDonnell to serve in the parish of Sherborne Abbey with Castleton
Samantha Park to serve in the benefice of Cannings and Redhorn
Georginah Phillips to serve in the parish of St Andrews, Jersey
Joe Stone to serve in the parish of St Francis, Salisbury
On Saturday afternoon, twelve clergy were priested in an equally joyful service.The twelve have served as deacons for a year across the diocese and in the ordination service they were anointed and prayed over by the three Bishops and other clergy.
Bishop Andrew told the new priests in his sermon: "What changes today is that the church sets you ap
art for a particular and holy charge, which is to draw people, not to yourself, but to Christ - the only one who is worthy of our praise and who, in offering himself, reconciles the world to God.
"We live in a society in which many feel locked out - of opportunity or justice or just genuine, loving relationship. Many likewise privately long to approach faith in God but feel like an imposter in church and struggle to gain access without passing themselves off as someone else. This happens to clergy too. So for those who follow St Peter in that long apostolic succession, what an opportunity and privilege to those who follow in the footsteps of St Peter, to fling the church doors generously wide!
"As God's porters, priests often find themselves as thresholds, not only of the church but of homes, workplaces, and school or at personal thresholds of lvoe, life and death, places of profound crisis or giddying festivity. At each of these boundaries we serve the one who called himself 'the gate'. And while there will be things to loose and things to bdin, at his side, your duty and your joy is to release the locks and grant access all areas to the Church of Christ - to proclaim afresh, 'dear friends, they way to life is now unlocked - come in!'." Read Bishop Andrew's sermon in full.
Please pray for our
new priests:
Toby Carson serving in the benefice of Iwerne Valley
Margaret Crosbie serving in the benefice of Puddletown, Tolpuddle and Milborne with Dewlish
Michael Eaton serving in the benefices of Wet Moors and Verwood
Catharine Eaton-Wells serving in Holy Angels, Lilliput
Elaine Galliott serving in the benefice of Kinson and West Howe, Bournemouth
Robyn Golden-Hann serving in St Aldhelm, Branksome
Sarah Keen serving in benefice of Golden CapAngus Mayhew serving in the benefices of Marnhull and Gillingham with Milton, and Silton.
Heidi Merrett serving in the benefices of Dorchester with the Winterbournes
Katey Minshall serving in the benefice of Royal Wootton Bassett
Simon Pope serving in the benefice of Avon River Valley
Daniel Washbrook serving in the benefice of Creekmoor, Poole
Follow our socials @dioceseofsalisbury and photos from the weekend are being posted on our Flickr account.