A BARBOURNE vicar has been appointed as the new chaplain to the Bishop of Worcester.
The Rev Canon Dr Stuart Currie, currently vicar of St. Stephen’s Church, will take up his new post in the summer.
He replaces the Rev Lizzie Shipp who has been in the post for five years and is leaving to become a parish priest in the Diocese of Ely.
As Bishop’s Chaplain Stuart will be responsible for supporting Bishop John and on occasion Bishop Graham in Dudley practically, spiritually and theologically.
“I felt honoured when Bishop John asked me to become his new chaplain, and very grateful to be offered this opportunity to work with him,” Stuart said,
“I’ve been Vicar of St. Stephen’s for nearly 22 years, so it will be a enormous wrench to leave the parish, but I’m hugely excited by this new challenge and it’s great that I’m not moving far.
“I’m looking forward to supporting both Bishop John and Bishop Graham in their ministry as well as playing a wider role in the life of the Diocese of Worcester.”
Alongside his role as Vicar of St. Stephen’s, Stuart is currently Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education, Rural Dean of Worcester East and Chaplain to the Royal Grammar School, Worcester.
Until recently he served for eight years as a member of General Synod and for 10 years as Chair of the House of Clergy; he also chaired the national Forum of Diocesan House of Clergy Chairs.
He lives in Worcester with his wife Nicola, who is Head of Art at New College, Worcester and a former Worcester Diocesan Communications Officer.
They have two adult daughters, Sarah, who teaches English and Francesca, an artist.
Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said: “He is an exceptionally gifted and experienced priest who is very highly respected in the Diocese and beyond.
“I know that he will be a great support, not only to me, but to clergy and church people across our diocese, many of whom count him as a good friend.
“He will also, in this new role, bring much to the wider church as it seeks to serve the community,” he added.
