SIX people were ordained deacon at Carlisle Cathedral on Saturday including two teachers and a former British Airways pension fund administrator.

The joyful Petertide ceremony followed a sun-blessed retreat at Rydal Hall near Ambleside for the half-dozen ordinands.

Newly ordained deacon Mark Houston, a familiar face from Kendal Parish Church, is to serve as curate in the new East of Eden Mission Community. As many as 40 such communities are being created across Cumbria, described as mutually supportive, ecumenical groupings of churches, with mission at their heart.

The Belfast-born father-of-two trained as a primary school teacher and is married to Ruth, former head teacher at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School. He moved across the Irish Sea more than 30 years ago, and has lived in Cumbria for 18 years.

The Houston family worshipped at St Thomas' Church, Kendal, before Mark's placement at Kendal Parish Church. A trained reader, his ministry of the past two decades has seen him take musicians into northern prisons, performing Christian songs.

The Kirkby Lonsdale Team Ministry beckons for Sue O'Loughlin, who worked for British Airway's pension fund before retiring. She and husband Terry live at Farleton, and they have four children.

Sue has worshipped at St Mary’s Church, Kirkby Lonsdale for five years. She trained as a Church of England reader before seeking ordination as a distinctive deacon, a ministry with a focus "on the borders" and to people who are outside church.

Grandmother-of-three Sheila Clark, who lives in the Eden Valley village of Morland, is to be curate in the benefice of North Westmorland. On September 30 she will continue her journey by being ordained priest at St Lawrence's Church, Morland.

The trained Anglican reader and retired teacher, 69, who is married to Donald, says she was moved to explore ordination after a lot of "nagging" from people.

Completing the six ordinations were Aimee Lynch, aged just 24, who is to serve as a curate in the Barrow Mission Community, mainly at St Mary's Church, Walney Island, and St John's Church, Barrow Island; Dr Peter Powell, curate in the Workington Mission Community; and Barrie Thomas, curate in the benefice of Carlisle Holy Trinity and St Barnabas Team.

Deacon is one of the orders of ministry to which all Church of England clergy are admitted. They have full ministry with several key differences from priests, such as not presiding at communion.

The Rev Peter Clement, Carlisle diocesan director of ordinands, said: "This year’s ordinations mark an exciting moment for us as a diocese. It represents a point where we are exploring new and pioneering ways in order that people with a passion for God and mission will be able to help more and more people discover God and God’s purpose for their lives."

Meanwhile, in Lancashire, Sister Judith Smith is preparing to be ordained as a priest at St Margaret's Church, Hornby, in September.

She lives and works at St Joseph's House of Prayer, in Tunstall, home of the Order of the Companions of Martha and Mary. The Anglican religious community is dedicated to a life of prayer and hospitality.

The 60-year-old great-great-aunt is one of two professed sisters in the order, which has four associates and 15 friends who support its work.

A keen gardener and crafter, Sister Judith says she hopes to "walk alongside those in need" and to "share God's love with a new community of people" in her future role.

She is to be ordained priest by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Julian Henderson, at Hornby church on Sunday, September 30, at 10.45am.