Ordination of Deacon of Ian Moon

Today, Ian Moon was ordained to the sacred order of the diaconate at the church of St Thomas of Canterbury and the English Martyrs in St Leonards on Sea. It was a joyful, spiritual and moving occasion. Even the fickle English weather cooperated with glorious blue skies and Mediterranean-like temperatures.

The Church of St Thomas dates from 1888 and has a rather plain exterior that belies the richly decorated interior. Its extensive and colourful murals were painted just over 100 years ago but have already been renovated several times, due to damage caused by the salty seaside air. Canon Thomas Traherne is the parish priest and the main celebrant today was Bishop Richard Moth, accompanied by about two dozen clergy from A&B and Southwark dioceses. There was a small choir and orchestra and the cantor was Stephen Bloy, Lourdes pilgrimage veteran and participant in 'The Voice' TV show. The church was full and the sustained applause that followed Ian's ordination was clear testimony to the affection in which he is held.

Now...apologies. I'm leaving at 6.30am tomorrow morning for a full day at RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo) at RAF Fairford in Glocester so I do not have time to write up today's occasion as it deserves - also there are a couple of hundred photographs of the event waiting to be edited! Here's a sample...