Revd Wendy Dalrymple, Rector of All Saints with Holy Trinity Loughborough, has today (Sunday 9 July) been announced as the new Precentor, Residentiary Canon Designate and Head of Worship and Events at Canterbury Cathedral.
Wendy will begin her new role in Canterbury in autumn 2023 and is being licensed by the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, and installed at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday 5 November at 5.30pm.
During her time in Leicester Diocese Wendy has not only led a growing town centre church but has also served as an Area Dean, Chair of the House of Clergy for Diocesan Synod, and has represented the Diocese on General Synod as well as twice being the Mayor of Loughborough’s chaplain, contributing to the Loughborough Council of Faiths, and acting as a Chaplain for the Royal British Legion.
Under her leadership All Saints has become an Intercultural Worshipping Community and is part of the Inclusive Church network.
Recognising her multiple areas of ministry Bishop Saju commented: "Wendy has thoroughly blessed us as a diocese with her passion and compassion, her wisdom and her wit. Whichever of the many 'hats' she has been wearing, she has led with courage and with grace, and we are grateful for how she has nurtured and discipled the worshipping community of All Saints Loughborough over the past eight years. We recognise that God is now calling Wendy into a new chapter, so she shall go to Canterbury Cathedral with our blessing and our prayers that God shall guide, strengthen and equip her to seek the Kingdom there as she has done here in Leicester."
Reflecting on her time in Leicester Diocese, Wendy said: "I have loved my time in the Diocese of Leicester, first and foremost as a parish priest in Loughborough to All Saints with Holy Trinity. Their patience, good humour and willingness to try new things has been an extraordinary gift to me.
"Over the last 8 years I have worked alongside and learnt from prayerful and pastoral church wardens, talented and visionary musicians, enthusiastic and dedicated ordinands and curates and above all I have been part of a community of faith for whom the radical love of God shapes everything.
"Playing my part in the wider diocesan church family has taught me many things and I am grateful for the wit and wisdom of colleagues from across the theological spectrum and church traditions.
"I am excited and nervous to be taking on this new challenge following where I feel God has asked me to go. To be asked to take on the role of overseeing liturgy, worship and events at the mother church of the Anglican Communion is a huge honour and one which will see me praying daily for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I take with me rich experiences of the diverse communities of my parish and this diocese and many happy memories.
"As I look ahead to joining the praying community of Canterbury Cathedral, know that the people I have journeyed with here will go with me in those prayers."
Wendy’s last Sunday in the diocese will be on the 15 October.