Author Archives: Diocese of Worcester - Prayer diary

At the end of October, Les West will retire as Steward
of Worcester Cathedral, a post he has held for 13
years. The Steward is the Chief Administrative Officer
for the Cathedral and is responsible for the Cathedral’s
management, including finance, property, staff, events
and the care of the building.

Before coming to be Steward, Les worked as a Business
Manager for Medicine in an NHS hospital in London. He
said: “I came to Worcester for the job. It was a complete change in my career and has
been wonderful – the best job I’ve ever had! I shall miss it greatly, the building, the
music, the worship, but most of all the people who I’ve worked with over the years.”

Highlights of Les’ time in post have been the visit of HM The Queen for her Diamond
Jubilee as well as many events and concerts. “I’ve also enjoyed coming to evensong
regularly, something which I’ve tried to attend each day as I finish work.” 

Les is moving to the small village of Reepham in Norfolk, near to where his wife’s
family live. He said: “We bought a retirement bungalow two years ago and have just
completed all the work on it, so it’s ready for us to move in. I’m looking forward to
having time to do other things. At the moment, there are no particular plans, but I’m
thinking about volunteering at Norwich Cathedral and for a local National Trust property.
But mainly, I’ll be seeing what comes my way!” 

In succession to Les, the Chapter has appointed Val Floy, who comes to the Cathedral
after being Chief Operating Officer at Anti-Slavery International and before that at the
Children’s Society. 

Please pray for Les as he begins this new chapter in his life and for Val as she takes up
the post of Cathedral Steward. 

Droitwich Deanery – Rural Dean: Sheila Banyard; Lay Chair: Janet Bryan 

Diocese of Southeast Florida (USA): Bishop Leopold Frade with Coadjutor Bishop Peter Eaton 

Diocese of Sheffield: Bishop Pete Wilcox with Bishop Peter Burrows (Doncaster) 

Diocese of Sodor & Man: Bishop-elect Peter Eagles 

Diocese of Greenland within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark: Bishop Sofie Petersen

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Please pray for the 57 councillors who are part of Worcestershire County Council,
including Council leader, Simon Geraghty and for the staff who support them. Pray that
the decisions they make will benefit those most in need across Worcestershire.&nb… Continue Reading

Ahead of St Matthew’s day tomorrow, pray for all who work in the tax system and
for wisdom in the way taxes are used by government for local and national services,
including welfare and health services.
Diocese of South Ankole (Uganda): Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe 

Diocese of West Ankole: Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni

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Please pray for our new Priest and Pastor Emma Goldby and for establishing a
successful team with all the churches in the Northern Pershore Deanery. Clergy: Emma
Goldby; Readers: Ron Rust, John Rider (emeritus) Diocese of Sokoto (Nigeria): Bisho… Continue Reading

Today marks a very special day for Canon
Ruth Wintle from Martley & Worcester West
Deanery – it is the fiftieth anniversary of the
start of her full-time ministry. She has had
a very varied half century, progressing from
parish worker, through theological college
lecturer and Deacon, to Priest, as well as
many other roles along the way, including
nine years as a Selection Secretary with the
Advisory Council for the Church’s Ministry,
during a time of considerable change in
women’s ministry in the 1970s.

Throughout her time in ministry, Ruth has
seen attitudes and rules change. When she
arrived in Worcester in 1983 women could
not even be deacons. She was the first
ordained woman to be installed as a Canon in the Church of England, having already
served as Diocesan Director of Ordinands for several years. Ruth has known “fifty years
of change, opportunity, delight and blessing. What an amazing privilege!” 

Ruth has always enjoyed leading worship and preaching, and has had amazing support
from colleagues who gave her full scope to exercise her ministry even at a time when
women were expected to work only with women and children. But most of all, it is
“seeing God opening doors and giving grace to fulfil all that he has asked that ultimately
means the most”. 

Please pray for Ruth as she reaches this anniversary and for all women in ministry. 

Pershore Deanery – Rural Dean: Susan Renshaw; Lay Chair: Sue Perry 

Diocese of Sodor & Man: The Ven Peter Eagles 

Diocese of Tuam, Killala & Achonry (Ireland): Bishop Patrick Rooke 

Diocese of Bath & Wells: Bishop Peter Hancock with Bishop Ruth Worsley (Taunton)

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