Meet the real life vicar of Dibley
It's just as well women can multi-task. Jenny Hill's occupation is certainly a varied one. Her incredibly long days can see her organising a baptism, making a funeral visit and then conducting a marriage interview.
It's just as well women can multi-task. Jenny Hill's occupation is certainly a varied one. Her incredibly long days can see her organising a baptism, making a funeral visit and then conducting a marriage interview.
And when it comes to Sunday lunch – she manages to get back home just in time to do the gravy.
Reverend Jenny Hill's life could almost be as hectic as the Vicar of Dibley's.
But the 57-year-old Rural Dean of Walsall is no actress – she balances her vocation and family in the real world.
Rev Hill, who was ordained 10 years ago, is one of the many females to have joined the church over the years.
New figures have revealed that more women than men were ordained as clergy in the Church of England last year for the first time since the introduction of female priests. The Church of England said it ordained 478 new clergy in 2006. Of those, 244 were women and 234 men.
The majority of the women were ordained to non-stipendiary or unpaid posts, such as working as assistant priests.
Rev Hill, who is also minister at St Mark's Church, in Green Lane, Shelfield, says she is delighted that more and more women are entering the Church.
"Things are certainly easier for women entering the Church today than it was for me when I was ordained 10 years ago," she said.
"But we still battle against those who question whether we should be doing the job. As far as I'm concerned, women can do the job as well as men."
For Rev Hill it isn't just a job of course. It's her vocation.
The mother-of-three was previously an ophthalmic optician, but she had a desire to join the clergy from an early age.
"It actually tugged at me from being a teenager. But there were no role models then and obviously women were not allowed to be priests then anyway.
"It's not just a question of what we do, it's bigger and deeper than that.
"It's a vocation and it's knowing that you can do no other."
Rev Hill's varied occupation can see her working many hours.
"We can work incredibly long days, but we know how to multi-task, with many female vicars married and with families."
"And of course at the end of the day you still need to feed the family and sort out the more mundane tasks.'
Which is when of course, 59-year-old husband Robin, a service engineer of hospital equipment, steps in to help.
"When was a an ophthalmic optician I used to work Saturdays so Robin would make some of the meals then.
"And on Sundays I walk in in time to do the gravy," she laughed.
And does she think TV show The Vicar of Dibley, starring Dawn French, may have encouraged more women "already had a sense of calling"?
"Well she's certainly made it entertaining. Some of the details aren't quite right but the character Dawn French portrays is friendly and approachable.
"There's lots of able women out there, and I would like to see many more ordained."
