When I arrived in Oxford in 2006 to study biology, I was already a Christian but found the city a wonderful place for my faith to grow. I loved the more informal bible study and worship at St Ebbe’s on a Sunday, as well as singing at Evensong on a Monday evening with the college choir and the wonderful college chaplain, Ralph Williamson. There were chances with the help of the OICCU (Christian Union) to seek to share my faith with others, as well at what was perhaps the height of New Atheism, to see how Christianity and my scientific study might complement each other, rather than be irreconcilable.

So, it was wonderful at the beginning of July to be ordained in the cathedral of the college I called my home half a lifetime ago, the fourth of my 2006 cohort to be ordained into the Church of England. At a time when many people (especially 18–24-year-olds) are exploring faith in ways that they haven’t for years, it is an exciting time to enter parish ministry. If you are a praying person, I would appreciate your prayers as I start to serve just outside Marlow that in the words of St Paul I would “finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)