MEN and women from all walks of life begin a new ecclesiastical journey at Christ Church in Oxford today.

Forty-three new deacons are being ordained by the Bishop of Oxford the Rt Rev John Pritchard during three services.

And the new recruits include an archaeologist, a family GP, teachers – and even an expert on bugs.

They are about to begin a new life as curates in parishes across the diocese, which covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, after training for three years at theological college.

They will now embark on a three- to four-year curacy under the supervision of a more experienced priest.

In their first year as a deacon, they train to take the special offices of the church, known as the sacraments, including Holy Communion, weddings and baptisms. They will then be ordained as priests.

For Chipping Norton GP Stephen Blake, today’s ordination is the culmination of long journey. He said: “It didn’t all come at once. It was an inkling 30 years ago. But my medical training holds me in good stead.”

Dr Blake will serve as a part-time curate in Burford with Fulbrook and Taynton, but continue as a GP at the Whitehouse Surgery in Chipping Norton.

He said: “I am wondering how I am going to fit it all in, but it will be fine.”

Graham Choldcroft will continue as a Thames Valley Police chaplain for Didcot and Wallingford – a position he has held since 2006. But he will also serve as a curate in Thame following his ordination. He said the commitment of police officers was an inspiration.

Mr Choldcroft, who took early retirement from a job in the criminal justice system in 2006, said: “It’s an immense privilege just being alongside cops and listening when they want to talk.”

Other ordinands include archaeologist and author of books on Roman art, Martin Henig, who will serve North Hinksey and Wytham and Oxford St Frideswide with Binsey.

Former soldier Jo Reid, who has served in Northern Ireland, will serve as a curate in Brize Norton and Carterton.

Environmental scientist Paul Chamberlain, whose wife describes his job as ‘“bugs and dirt”, will serve in Thame.

The diocese previously ordained new deacons at services in July and October but has moved to an annual service – hence the high number of new curates.

Bishop John said: ‘It’s very good to have 43 new deacons getting ordained in one day.

“They will be going off to serve in growing churches all over the diocese.”