The Bishop of Leicester has announced today that the next Archdeacon of Loughborough will be the Reverend Claire Wood, currently Rector of St Peter and St Paul Olney, and Area Dean of Newport Deanery in Oxford Diocese.
Claire became Rector of Olney in 2009 and has combined this with the role of Area Dean of Newport since 2015. She trained for ministry on the St Albans and Oxford Ministry Course and served her Curacy in Buckingham. Before ordination, Claire spent more than 20 years in project management and was a European Business Practice Manager for Steria Systems.
Claire founded The SoulTime Programme in 2012. This is a multi-agency project including cafe, memory club, breakfast club and support for parents of teenagers.
As Archdeacon of Loughborough, Claire will work to support churches across the western half of the Diocese of Leicester, an area which includes Loughborough, North West Leicestershire, Market Bosworth and Hinckley. The role includes a particular brief for helping to grow the confidence of churches in sharing faith, together with oversight of work with children and young people and also communications.
Speaking of her appointment, Bishop Martyn said: “I am so pleased that Claire will be joining my Staff Team. She brings rich experience from the world of business as well as ministry in the church. In recent years, the church in Olney has seen considerable growth and Claire has shown great creativity in leading the church in its response to local needs. I am very grateful to her predecessor David Newman, and also to Sue Field who is currently Acting Archdeacon – they have both served the diocese superbly.”
Claire said of her appointment “I am looking forward to joining the team as Archdeacon of Loughborough, meeting and listening to the people and parishes of the archdeaconry, as we work together and confidently share our faith to follow Jesus Christ. I have made many friends and have enjoyed my ministry in Olney, in my deanery and diocese, and I thank them for their support and kindness through many years.”
Claire will move to Leicester in September and the diocese will welcome her and her family at a service in the Cathedral on Sunday 8th October at 3pm.