On Saturday 28 June, seventeen people were ordained Deacon at Southwark Cathedral by the Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun. The Revd Dr Ellen Clark-King, Dean of King’s College London, led the ordination retreat and preached at the service in the Cathedral. Find out more about our new deacons below – please pray for them and the communities where they will serve their curacies.
Croydon Episcopal Area
Charlotte (Charlie) Davies
Charlotte Davies (known as Charlie) grew up in High Wycombe and studied Fashion Design at Nottingham Trent University. She went on to become Fashion Editor for The Sunday Telegraph Magazine before becoming a Christian and soon after an overseas missionary, first among the garment factory workers of Cambodia then with traditional crafts makers of West Africa. She is married and has two teenage girls. She loves horses, design and is passionate about sustainability. Charlie will serve her curacy at Springfield Church, Wallington.
Peter Greenfield
Peter Greenfield was brought up in New Malden and is relocating from Cuddesdon to live two streets away from where he attended school in Sutton. He took degrees in Theology at Cambridge and Nottingham, followed by a series of short-term paid and voluntary jobs. After entering the discernment process, he served as a parish assistant in Camden and rural Herefordshire, before working full-time in university chaplaincy. He took another degree in (Practical) Theology at Oxford, whilst training for ordained ministry at Cuddesdon, including a term on exchange in Barbados. He is married to Beth, a secondary school teacher. His hobbies include running, modern history, eating out, piano playing, languages, film, and watching football. Peter will serve his curacy at All Saints, Carshalton.
James Griffin
James Griffin was born and raised in South London and his working life to date includes five years with the Oasis Trust, followed by some time at Southwark Council working in the regeneration of the Bankside Area. His interest in London’s geography and history led him to study the Knowledge of London and James has held a London cab driver’s licence for 20 years, working full time at first, and then alongside a career as a Metropolitan Police Officer where he leaves relatively unscathed after a varied career to take up a full-time curacy. Far more importantly, James can be found at Plough Lane for AFC Wimbledon’s home matches or out with family and friends enjoying food, music and laughter. James will serve his curacy at St Oswald’s, Cheam North.
Antonio Joseph
Antonio Joseph is a born and bred Londoner who studied Politics and Sociology at the University of Greenwich. After a gap year he started working for the Government of Antigua and Barbuda at their High Commission in London, holding a number of positions before eventually becoming a diplomat with responsibility for Political, Diaspora and Consular matters. Antonio has been an active member of the Mothers’ Union in London Diocese, currently serving on its trustee board for over nine years. His passions include singing, cooking, travelling and offering hospitality. When not doing this, he will be found preparing for the Notting Hill Carnival with ‘Heritage Roadshow Carnival Band’. He trained for ministry at Mirfield and was Chair of the Ordinands Association. Antonio will serve his curacy at St Michaels & All Angels w St James, Croydon.
Kingston Episcopal Area
Judy Douglas
Judy Douglas was born in Islington, London. Her parents were from the sunny Caribbean Islands of St Lucia and Barbados. She was educated in London and gained an Honours Degree at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a Master’s at Goldsmiths, University of London. She has spent her entire teaching career in secondary schools in London, which has been challenging and rewarding. She is married and has three children. Judy enjoys swimming, walking, live music, theatre, art galleries and exhibitions. She also spends her free time visiting cathedrals across England and hopes to have visited all of them in the future. Judy will serve her curacy at St Mary and St John the Divine, Balham.
Judith Fraser
Judith Fraser was born and grew up in New Zealand where she gained her law degree and commenced practice as a Barrister and Solicitor before moving to the UK in 1989. Prior to ordination Judith practised as a Barrister primarily in Child Protection. She gained a Diploma at King’s College London and LSE in Child Protection. Judith trained as a Spiritual Director at the LCSD and is currently completing a Master’s in Mission in Contemporary Culture at St Mellitus College. She is passionate about journeying with others as they meet God in the place where they are. Judith is particularly concerned for the vulnerable and oppressed having been involved in the area of abuse over the last 40 years in both a professional and volunteer capacity. Judith is married and has two adult children, two dogs (a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature Schnauzer) and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys Zumba, box fit, and spending time with family and friends. Judith will serve her curacy at St Michael’s & All Angels w St Stephen’s, Wandsworth.
Sharon Hunt
Sharon Hunt has spent most of her life living, studying, and working in the UK. Before training for ordained ministry, she worked for a Christian social justice charity, where she set up and led the Community Food Service. Sharon studied at Goldsmiths University and her professional career lies in the charity and public sectors with a focus on strategy, project and volunteer management, and community engagement. Sharon has been an active volunteer over the years, including as a school governor. Sharon has an adult son, and they love going to the theatre and performances together. She enjoys creative writing, going for walks and architecture, especially old buildings, and you can often catch her watching a whodunnit murder mystery! Sharon will serve her curacy at St Mary’s, Putney.
Mariia (Mary) Kilikidi
Mariia (Mary) Kilikidi was born and raised in Russia in a Russian Greek family. She gained a degree in philosophy in Moscow and worked in administration until moving to the UK in 2021. Mary was baptised in the Russian Orthodox Church, confirmed in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Russia and received into the Church of England. Having such a broad ecclesiastical background, Mary is interested in ecumenism. She is a member of the Anglican-Lutheran Society which strengthens and promotes the relationship between the Church of England and national Lutheran Churches. Mary was trained at Westcott House where she developed an interest in trauma theology. Mary’s dissertation was about trauma and pastoral care, and she plans to continue working in this field. She is committed to promoting inclusion and hopes that the Church will become a place where everyone is welcomed. In her free time Mary likes travelling, going for long walks and spending time with her partner Kai. Mariia will serve her curacy at Merton Priory Team.
Kardiatou (Kadia) Ly
Kardiatou (Kadia) Ly was brought up in France and initially came to London for 6 months to study English. However, she ended staying longer than planned and left accounting behind to work as a nanny before she started her ordination training at Wycliffe. Kadia loves to travel and tries to surf any chance she gets. When not traveling, Kadia can be found cooking meals to share with loved ones, going to dance classes, reading the classics, swimming or out on a nature walk. Kadia will serve her curacy at St Peter’s, Vauxhall.
Wa’el Qasim
Wa’el Qasim was raised in west London and made the move south of the river a decade ago. He has worked in writing, journalism, academia and the charity sector, all with a focus on issues of social and political justice. He continues to write, though now mostly for pleasure. In his spare time Wa’el enjoys reading, making music, good food and frequent visits to the theatre. Wa’el will serve his curacy at St Leonard’s, Streatham.
Michael Stokes
Michael Stokes was born in Watford and lived across the UK while growing up in a military family. After leaving school he joined the Civil Service where he worked for nine years in a range of roles. Whilst working Michael joined the Community of St Anselm in 2021, which he continues to be a member of to this day. Michael enjoys running, playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, and following a range of sports teams. Michael will serve his curacy at All Saints, Kingston.
Woolwich Episcopal Area
Doris Barrera
Doris Barrera was borne in Santiago of Chile to a Chilean Father and Bolivian mother, coming to London in 2007 to continue her music studies. She trained as a professional musician, with a specialization in Early Music, she also sings a little bit. A true lover of life, God and coffee – not in that necessary order! She enjoys and delights in meeting new people sharing a hot drink or a refreshing gin and tonic with everyone. Doris is also deeply passionate about church liturgy specially the relationship between liturgical music and theology, sacramental theology, and pastoral care, advocating fiercely for inclusion and diversity. She is committed to transforming the church community into a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and respected, fostering an environment that celebrates the richness of our differences, and she is always ready to take new challenges. In her spare time, she loves her early morning running, evening swimming and Taizé singing. She likes dogs, dancing, parties and making crafts, and sometimes she also loves kayaking when she is not capsizing! Doris will serve her curacy at St Peter’s Walworth.
Laura Bucke
Laura Bucke was born in Stafford but moved around the country until she was 12 while her father served in the RAF. Settling in Cambridgeshire for her teenage years, Laura went on to study English Literature at King’s College London before working for a year as a ministry trainee at a large church in the Diocese of London. She taught English as a Second Language for four years before working as a university chaplaincy assistant. She has enjoyed three wonderful years training at Cranmer Hall, Durham. Laura is married to Callum with whom she shares a love of chocolate and otters. She loves creative writing, reading, cats, and spending quality time with friends and family. Laura will serve her curacy at St George’s, Camberwell.
Callum Bucke
Callum Bucke was born and grew up in Haywards Heath in West Sussex, and has been exploring vocation since 2009. He studied Theology at the University of Winchester and the University of Chichester, and worked in a department store before working as a Chaplaincy Assistant at King’s College London. He spent three years training for ministry at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield. Callum is married to Laura who will also be ordained this summer, and he enjoys reading, history, and cinema. Callum will serve his curacy at St Mary’s, Newington.
Winifred (Winnie) Obese-Bempong
Winifred (Winnie) Obese-Bempong is originally from the Eastern Region of Ghana and moved to the UK 27 years ago settling in Southeast London, where she has lived ever since. She began her career across various sectors, developing a strong passion for community organising and supporting individuals facing significant challenges. After having her daughter (now 16), Winnie pursued a degree in Education at Roehampton. For the past several years, she has worked as a Debt Coach and Community Outreach Coordinator at a local church in Southeast London, assisting those in financial distress and driving positive changes within the community. Before beginning her ordination training, she worked for Safe Families, a charity that supports families in crisis by connecting them with local churches to foster a sense of belonging. Winnie is deeply committed to empowering others, particularly through her volunteer work with Giraffe Children’s Library, a charity she founded with friends to address learning differences and support literacy development for children in Ghana. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to Jazz, Gospel and Highlife music, cooking, organising events that bring people together, and connecting with diverse communities. Winnie will serve her curacy at Herne Hill Parish.
Marieke Sybrandi
Marieke Sybrandi was born and raised in Overijssel, the Netherlands before moving to Utrecht and Glasgow to study History. After her degree she worked with international students in Utrecht. Marieke spent the last three years in Oxford where she did a team sport for the first time in her life (rowing). She loves listening to or reading stories of people from all over the world and is looking forward to living in such a culturally rich city as London. Marieke will serve her curacy at St George the Martyr with St Alphege & St Jude, Borough.
Andrew Twesigye
Andrew Twesigye was born in Uganda and moved to the UK at the age of six, where he spent his formative years. He is married to Sahar, and together they have four children, two boys and two girls. Andrew holds a degree in Computer Science, but his calling has always been toward social transformation and serving the church. In his early years, he worked in Southwark, where he established a social enterprise to support and uplift young people. A creative person at heart, Andrew enjoys exploring multimedia projects, from producing short films to crafting music albums, and in his spare time, he’s always seeking inspiration for his next creative endeavour. Andrew will serve his curacy at St Peter’s Brockley.
