Shellrock Benefice

Priest-in-Charge

I grew up in Norfolk and, though life has taken me elsewhere at times, I’ve always found my way back home. After studying at the Norwich School of Art and Design, I joined the Royal Air Force as a Weapons Technician, serving for ten years in light blue. During this time, I began to sense a different calling, and eventually, God made it clear that my path lay in ministry.

Following this, I left the military to train for ordination. I was ordained Deacon in 2021 and Priest in 2022. My curacy began in Swaffham and Sporle, included a brief period in Dereham, and concluded in Mattishall and the Tudd Valley. In the summer of 2024, I moved to Hingham to serve as Priest-in-Charge.

I’m blessed to share this journey with my wonderful husband, Luke, and our three children: Cora, Lexi, and John. I have a particular passion for building meaningful connections within the community, creating spaces where people feel valued, supported, and encouraged to explore their faith.

For me, ministry is deeply rooted in being present with people and helping them experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Priest Associate

I was ordained as a non-stipendiary deacon in 1990, having completed the local non-residential course, and was among the first cohort of women to be ordained priest in 1994.  I became a full-time stipendiary curate that same year in Leominster, Herefordshire.  In the very rural area of Leominster and surrounding parishes a team of 18 parishes was formed. 

In October 1996 I moved to the Ledbury Team Ministry as a Team Vicar, initially looking after 5  parishes which we named the Hop Churches.  Three more parishes were added a few years later. Over the 18 years in which I served those parishes two self-supporting ministers were able to fulfil their vocation through working as part of our team.  Also on the team were two Readers, three retired clergy, and 3 or 4 lay people.  We worked the Minster model of ministry in that, as a group of ministers, we met together to pray, plan and discuss issues that had arisen, then take our ministry and mission out to the parishes. All parishes knew each other and all the ministers, although certain people continuously ministered in particular parishes.  Parishes worked together, e.g. parish share was considered the responsibility of the whole group so poorer parishes were supported financially by wealthier ones, and fundraising was often a joint enterprise.  I am convinced that this way of working is the most fruitful way forward for the Church in rural areas, given that the number of clergy is decreasing and more parishes need to be grouped together.

I also passionately believe in the place of the Church in the community, and the fact that many people supporting various organisations, e.g. village hall, charities, youth groups, are people of faith is, for me, a sign of God at work in the world.   Before, and after, ordination I served on the Diocesan Board of Education and the Council for Social Responsibility as well as being part of the support group for the Agricultural Chaplain.  Another role I undertook was as Bishop’s, then Diocesan, Advisor for Women in Ministry for four years.  I was made a Prebendary (Canon)  of Hereford Cathedral in 2007, and retired in 2014.

Reader

I was born and spent my childhood in yorkshire. After leaving school I  trained as a teacher in Sunderland, and moved to Norfolk in 1971. I am married with 2 grown up daughters. I have been a Reader for 39 years and serve the whole benefice. I also lead the benefice Fellowship group.

Assistant Lay Minister and Great Ellingham Tower Captain