The Reverend Jess Lancaster of Launceston is to be ordained as a full priest at a ceremony to be conducted by the Right Reverend Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans, on Saturday, June 24, at Truro Cathedral, writes Alec Charles. 

“I am so grateful to our faithful ordinands who have given so much of themselves to follow God’s call on their lives,” says Bishop Hugh. “We are blessed by them and their example to us all.” 

Jess was made a deacon a year ago and currently serves as a curate for the Launceston Benefice. 

She works closely with Mother Alison Hardy, the vicar of Launceston. 

“She’s amazing – she’s fantastic” Jess says. “It’s the right place for me to be.” 

In addition to her duties for the church, hardworking Jess also has a day job – she teaches English language and literature at Shebbear College in west Devon. 

Jess is originally from Hertfordshire. She and her family moved to Cornwall seven years ago. For her husband, whose own family are Cornish, it was a proper homecoming. 

“He’s a Launceston boy,” she says. 

Jess recalls that since the age of 20 she knew that she was being called to be ordained. At the time, though, it was a call which she resisted. 

“I ran away,” she says. “I did all kinds of things. I was trying to avoid it. But you really can’t run away. God will get you in the end.” 

She looks back on her first twelve months of ordained ministry with something of a sense of wonder. 

“It’s been an incredible year,” she says. “It’s been such a blessing. The people in the benefice have welcomed me with open arms. They’ve been very generous and loving. And I’ve learned stacks.” 

She’s now looking forward to her ‘priesting’ ceremony this month with some excitement. 

“I’ve got a feeling things will be different afterwards, but I don’t know exactly how,” she says. “I’m excited to see how things will pan out.” 

A little while ago, she’d been approached by a local family asking if she could perform a christening for them in May. As she wouldn’t have been fully ‘priested’ at the time, she’d had to decline. 

Then, a bit later, the family had contacted her again. They’d had to reschedule until Sunday, June 25. The day after she’ll be ordained as a full priest. 

“So, the day after my ordination, I’ll be performing my first baptism,” she smiles. “It’ll be beautiful. What a great way to start!”