THERE is to be a swapping over of the ‘Sams’ at St Peter’s Church in Petersfield as one curate leaves and another joins.
Sam Martell and Sam Cullen were both ordained deacons by the Bishop of Portsmouth at a service attended by a coachload of supporters from St Peter’s last weekend.
Former butcher and mother-of-two Sam Martell (46), who has been at the church in The Square for four years training and exploring her vocation, is now leaving to serve as a curate at four parishes in the diocese: Droxford, Meonstoke, Exton and Corhampton.
And she is to be replaced by Sam Cullen who comes to Petersfield after training at Ripon College in Cuddesdon.
The Rev Will Hughes, of St Peter’s, said:?“It has been a weekend of joy, tinged with sadness. Sadness as we say goodbye and godspeed to Sam Martell and her family, much loved members of our church family.
“But joy as we see her ordained, and joy too as we welcome Sam Cullen to serve as curate with us. We are lucky to have her.”
Sam Martell found her vocation after she injured herself using her sausage making machine.
She was immobile for a while and started to think about what direction she wanted to take.
She eventually took up a placement at St Peter’s during Lent of 2013, and didn’t want to leave.
She became part of the congregation, edited the church magazine, and even made sausages again, for the summer fete, before being accepted for ordination.
Sam Cullen (44), also a mother-of-two, grew up in a catholic family but turned to the Church of England after having children of her own.
She has been involved with a drop-in centre for homeless people in the Isle of Wight as well as Churches Together in Ryde. She has also supported the work of Women and the Church.