Sidmouth woman ordained on same day as son and daughter-in-law

A Sidmouth woman was ordained at Exeter Cathedral with her son and daughter-in-law on Saturday (1 July).

Julie Wheeler, her son Charles Wheeler and his wife Miriam Brandon-Wheeler are among 16 new members of the clergy now beginning their new roles at parishes across Devon.

Charles and Miriam will be serving as curates in the Tiverton St George and St Paul Mission Community, and Julie will be serving at St Mark's Church in Exeter.

Julie said: "I have had an active lay ministry in the church over the last twenty years and throughout that time have carried a sense of call to ordination.

"That my ordination itself should now coincide with Charles and Miriam, for me, has an extraordinary sense of the providence of God.

"It intertwines varying vocations: to serve the church, to be a parent and to be a trusting child of God."

Bishop of Exeter Robert Atwell, centre, is due to retire (Diocese of Exeter)

Charles, who met his wife after joining a monastic community, said before the service: "It is a unique joy to prepare for ordination with members of my family.

"To be preparing with Miriam my wife and to have the opportunity to serve the people of Tiverton together as part of the same Church community is particularly special.

"I am glad too that I am preparing with Julie, my mother, who has encouraged me as I have encouraged her.

"All of this, I sense, is a sign that God doesn't just call individuals to serve him, but families and households."

Miriam, who is pregnant, said: "There is lots to be excited about at the moment.

"It's been great to walk with people that I'm close with on a journey that has been important to me over the last few years, just to have their support and prayers. It's been great.

"Before training for ordination I was a GP.

"For many years I had felt called to attending to patients' spiritual health as well as physical health and saw the great need for this in my practice."

Saturday's service also marked the last time new clergy would be ordained by Bishop of Exeter Robert Atwell, who is due to retire in September.