A man who was born in the Isle of Man 55 years ago is to be ordained as a Church of England priest, and so are his twin sons.
Jonathon Green has been general manager of the Diocese of Carlisle’s conference at Rydal Hall since 2007.
He’s overseen the completion of the historic building’s garden refurbishment, renovation of the Old Schoolroom Tea Shop, refurbishment of the Youth Centre, provision of new campsite facilities and creation on en-suite facilities in the main hall.
But despite that workload, Jonathon has also found time to study for ordination as Deacon over the last three years.
And he’s been helped all the way by his 22-year-old twin sons James and Sam, who’ve both been accepted for ordination too.
Jonathon said: ‘We all went through the selection process together so have been able to support each other through the whole process.
‘I’ll admit that meal times around our table have been quite theological! It’s been a wonderful process to go through with the boys. Our relationship is different now that we’ve all studied together for God.
‘I’ve found the balance of work and study very challenging. It can be tough to sit down and write an essay after working a 50 hour week here. But the benefit has been that all the courses I’ve had to do have been held at Rydal Hall so I’ve not had to travel!’
Jonathon will continue in his role as general manager but will also work as a self-supporting minister at St Mary’s, Windermere. As part of his curacy he plans to work a morning a week at the church as well as lead a number of services on a Sunday.
After initially training at a catering college in the Isle of Man, where he was born, Jonathon later trained in hotel management at Blackpool Catering College.
He also studied at the Emmanuel Bible College from 1986 and worked in two churches in the North West before being appointed general manager at the Diocese of Sheffield’s retreat centre, Whirlow Grange.
He says he’s been supported throughout by his wife Anne, their daughter Katherine, aged 24, and the twins.
He added: ‘I first felt God to speak to me about ordination in 1977, but both Anne and I felt that it would be here in Cumbria where that would happen.’
He is soon to be followed by both his sons.
James is currently studying at Cranmer Hall theological college in Durham. His brother, Sam, has just completed a theology degree at Cambridge and after a gap year he plans to study at Ridley Hall in Cambridge.
Jonathon will be ordained Deacon during a special service at Carlisle Cathedral on Sunday.
