A WEEKEND of celebrations has seen two women being ordained as a Deacon and Priest to serve the Furness area.

Carlisle Cathedral was packed with friends, family and supporters as Madi Simpson, now assistant curate for Ulverston and Furness, as well as four others, was ordained as a Deacon by the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, on Saturday afternoon.

Church congregations were also able to celebrate as services for the three people to be ordained Priest took place in their home churches, including Aimee Lynch at St John’s church on Barrow Island on Sunday.

She said: “It has been a complete privilege to serve in the Barrow community and everyone has been so welcoming.” She will continue training across St Johns and St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Walney, for the next three years.

Madi Simpson said upon her ordination: “I want to fan the flames back into the spiritual Christian life that has always been here in Ulverston.”