The Revd Richard Lamey has been licensed by the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, as our new Director of Mission and Ministry in a ceremony held during evensong at Norwich Cathedral.
Richard arrives in East Anglia having most recently served as Rector of the Parish of St Paul in Wokingham, within the Diocese of Oxford.
Among the attendees at the licensing service were a large contingent of Richard’s former colleagues and parishioners who had made the journey of over 150 miles, including the Choir of St Paul’s Wokingham which gave a performance as part of the service.
Reflecting on the ceremony and looking ahead to his new role, Richard said:
“It was a special and happy service in a very welcoming Cathedral. I was really touched by how many people made the long trek from my old parish in Berkshire to be here, and it was lovely to catch up with old friends while also being welcomed by new ones from across the Diocese and from the whole Parish Support Team.
“I have already met some really remarkable people and visited some remarkable Churches and I am looking forward to meeting more, to hearing what God is doing, to encourage churches and chaplaincies and schools to try new things, to be Prayerful, Pastoral, Prophetic.
“In his sermon Bishop Graham said: “I believe there is so much God, so much grace, so much kingdom, so much forgiveness, so much eternal life.” I am thrilled to have a new job which is all about exploring exactly how much God and grace and kingdom there is across all of the communities of the Diocese.”
As Director of Mission and Ministry, Richard will be supporting parishes, clergy and lay leaders throughout the Diocese, as well as encouraging discipleship and vocations.
This new post is funded from external sources including grants from the Church Commissioners and the Anne French Memorial Trust.
