Mary Gregory has been appointed Rural Mission Enabler for the Diocese of Leicester and will carry out the position alongside her role as Team Rector of the Flagstaff family of churches in Ashby de la Zouch.
This new role in the diocese has arisen out of the Rural Commission - a study which looked at ways in which we can treasure and empower our rural churches and communities.
Bishop Martyn said: “I am delighted with this appointment. The role is intended to pick up the recommendations of the Rural Commission and work alongside the Rural Mission Group in the diocese. Mary will also have a key role in the Shaped By God Together process as we think about the future of our church buildings and the shape of ministry in rural areas.”
Mary was born in rural Leicestershire, in the village of Plungar, and moved from there to rural Lincolnshire. After university, she served in the Prison Service for ten years, before training for ordination at Cranmer Hall in Durham.
Mary served her curacy and first incumbency in the Diocese of Sheffield, where she was also Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Dean of Women's Ministry.
No stranger to rural ministry in the diocese, for the last five years Mary has been Team Rector of the Flagstaff Family of Churches which covers the market town of Ashby de la Zouch and the villages of Breedon on the Hill, Coleorton, Griffydam, Isley Walton, Lount, Newbold, Peggs Green, Shellbrook, Staunton Harold, Tonge, Willesley, Wilson and Worthington.
In her spare time, Mary is a quilt-maker and a serial adopter of greyhounds. Her sofa is not her own!
Speaking of her new role, Mary said: “Over the last five years as Team Rector of the Flagstaff Family of Churches I have experienced first-hand the joys and the challenges of rural ministry, and have had the privilege of serving alongside faithful and creative congregations.
“I am very pleased to have this opportunity, as Rural Mission Enabler, to develop a bold new strategy for rural ministry in the diocese; one which will release God's people for mission across our beautiful countryside.”