Nathan Hamilton – a former theatre technician and church sound engineer – will step into a new role as he is ordained as a deacon at Portsmouth Cathedral next Saturday (28th June), beginning his ministry in Ryde.
Having trained for church leadership at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, Nathan will now serve as curate across several Church of England parishes in Ryde, including Binstead, Havenstreet, St John the Baptist in Oakfield, and Holy Trinity in central Ryde.
Nathan’s path to ordination began behind the sound desk at Holy Trinity Brompton during a student weekend, where a call to church leadership prompted him to step forward for prayer – a moment he describes as symbolic of moving from behind the scenes into the spotlight.
Nathan said:
“I was doing the sound desk, as normal, but there was a call to come to the front for anyone who felt God was calling them into leadership. I found myself standing up and leaving the faders behind as I went forward for prayer.
“When you are actually employed by a church, you feel a professional obligation to make sure everything happens the way it’s supposed to. So to find yourself stepping forward like that is scary. I’m glad I didn’t really think too much about it, just responded to the call.
“It will be odd to be upfront in a church as a curate. I’ve never been hugely comfortable with being so visible, but part of being ordained is about living your whole life as a witness.”
Nathan studied technical theatre at university and worked for theatres and churches before joining HTB at a time when his faith was wavering. He has claimed that experience rekindled his connection with Christianity and prepared him for ministry.
Visiting the Isle of Wight was also part of Nathan’s journey:
“When we visited the Isle of Wight, it was refreshing and freeing not to feel judged, but to be welcomed as the person you actually are. There was a definite sense of peace about being in that place and with those people.”
Nathan and his wife Alys, who is currently on maternity leave, recently celebrated their daughter Betsy’s first birthday.
He is one of 28 people being ordained by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, on Saturday (28th June). Ten new deacons will begin ministry in various parishes, while 18 existing deacons will be ordained as priests later that day.
Further Isle of Wight Deacons to be ordained include:
- Abbie Lynch (Newport Minster, Saint John and Carisbrooke; and Gatcombe)
- Chris Nicol (All Saints Gurnard with Cowes St Faith; Northwood; Cowes Holy Trinity and St Mary)
- Jane Shyvers (West Wight)
The following Isle of Wight priests will also be ordained:
- The Rev Charlotte Hudd (West Wight)
- The Rev Jo Nicholson (Ventnor and Bonchurch)
- The Rev Emma Taylor (All Saints Gurnard with Cowes St Faith; Northwood; Cowes Holy Trinity and St Mary)
