Wendy joins us from Canterbury Cathedral where since the autumn of 2023 she has been Precentor, Residentiary Canon Designate and Head of Worship and Events. This followed on from eight and a half years as Rector of the Parish Church of Loughborough in the Diocese of Leicester. During this time, she fostered an inclusive approach to pastoral care and worship, renewed civic and community partnerships and developed a vision for mission through music. She was incumbent of a rural multi- parish benefice in the Diocese of Guilford and has experience of both school and university chaplaincy. She has served as Area Dean, Chair of House of Clergy and on General Synod. Prior to ordination she was a Youth and Community Worker, working with young people in faith based and community contexts as well as working with Juvenile and Young Offenders inside prisons on behalf of the YMCA. She continues to be passionate about fostering the spiritual development of children and young people. Twenty years ago, she left her sending church of St Helen’s in Wakefield to be part of the first cohort of women to be formed for ordination at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield where she then stayed to serve her curacy. She has been attending the Christian inspired festival Greenbelt for more years than she cares to remember and remains inspired by the connection between faith, arts and justice. She is married to Chris, a retired police officer, who after a lifetime spent enjoying country sports in his spare time now gets to enjoy shooting and fishing on a much more regular basis. They have three grown up children and two grandchildren who are looking forward to spending time in Ripon.
Wendy writes:
‘After many years away from God’s own country we are so pleased to feel like we are coming home. I left what was then Wakefield Diocese 15 years ago and have had a rich experience of ministry which has continued to shape me after some very formative years at St Helen’s in Wakefield and then as an ordinand and curate in Mirfield. I am so pleased to be joining the team at Ripon Cathedral and contributing to our life together here and across our diverse diocese. Chris and I are looking forward to getting to know people and setting up home along with working labrador Angus and retired lurcher Thorn. Do please say hello and we shall try our best to remember names!’