Historic Appointment Sees Woman as New Diocese Head of Training

|TOP|For the first time ever the Diocese of Hereford, the Church of England in Herefordshire, South Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire and Wales, has appointed a woman priest as the new head of training.

Sarah Cawdell, who is currently an unpaid curate in the parishes of Claverley with Tuckhill on the Black Country edge of Shropshire, will take up the position.

Bishop Anthony Priddis, Bishop of Hereford, said he was delighted with the appointment. He said, “Sarah is a highly qualified person and already knows the area and the church in the diocese. We are very fortunate that she has decided now is the time to work full time again. We have used her talents minimally up to now so it’s great that we are going to be allowed to use her gifts to the full."

|AD|Mrs Cawdell has been appointed as Continuing Ministerial Education Officer for the diocese, a position making her responsible for all clergy training in the Diocese, as well as for the newly ordained three year training programmes, and ad hoc training days and conferences.

Sarah Cawdell was ordained in 1995. She studied Bio-chemistry at Oxford University before moving to Cambridge to study Theology. She has an MA from Kings College, London in Theology & Education and is currently working on a PhD on The Mission of the Rural Church. She has three children, James (9), Elizabeth (7) and five year old Phillipa.

“I was speechless when the Bishop offered me the job and I’m very excited by the possibility the role offers.” said Sarah.

“The church is there to provide a focus for the worship of the parish...not just the formal services but the welcome we give to everyone who lives in the community.”

Rev Sarah Cawdell will take up her post, based at The Diocesan Office, The Palace Hereford on 26th June 2006.