NEW RECTOR FOR WIMBORNE MINSTER APPOINTED

The Governors of Wimborne Minster are pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Canon Vanessa Herrick as the new Rector of Wimborne Minster.

Canon Herrick is currently Director of Ministry and Vocation and Director of Ordinands in the Diocese of Ely.

After theological training at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, Vanessa was ordained in St Edmundsbury Cathedral as Deacon in 1996 and Priest in 1997 and served her Curacy in the Cathedral Parish of St. James, Bury St. Edmunds.

Her next appointment was as Chaplain and Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Tutor in Pastoral Theology at Ridley Hall before moving to Ely.

Vanessa has worked with her husband, David (who is also ordained), in a variety of contexts - urban, city-centre, council estate and suburban village. She has gained a breadth of experience over the past twenty-five years, as a lay person, clergy spouse, Reader and ordained minister.

The Bishop of Ely, The Right Revd Stephen Conway, said: “The Diocese of Ely has benefited from Vanessa’s ministry as Director of Ordinands and Director of Ministry and Vocation since she took up the post in 2003. The number of vocations has grown steadily since that time, and her contributions to the Senior Staff, the Bishop’s Council, the Diocesan Synod and the Cathedral, as well as to the National Church have been considerable.” He added: “We will be very sorry to lose Vanessa, but at the same time we rejoice with her in this new challenge and wish her and David  well in all that lies ahead.”

Vanessa and David have two adult sons Adam and Peter. Her hobbies include long distance walking, cinema, theatre, contemporary arts and watching international rugby and cricket. She has recently taken up golf – but is very much a novice! She is also author or co-author of several books.

Vanessa said on the announcement of her appointment “I look forward very much to moving to such a beautiful part of Dorset; to serving the Church as Rector of Wimborne Minster; and to working together in partnership with others for the wellbeing of the wider community”

The new Rector will move to Wimborne in the New Year. Her institution will be on Thursday 2nd February at 7.30pm.