Virtual service welcomes rector to post
The newest member of the clergy in the Diocese of Worcester has been virtually welcomed to his new role.
Rev. David Hildred was welcomed into his new role as team rector of Kidderminster East through an online service on Zoom.
The 59-year-old is the first clergy person to join the Diocese of Worcester since the coronavirus pandemic started and will have ministry of the five churches of Kidderminster East.
See the 'service of welcome' here:
The service, which was limited to 100 people through the technology available, was led by the Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge and the Archdeacon of Dudley Rev. Nikki Groake.
Also present at the service on Thursday, June 11, were representatives of the five churches in Kidderminster East, members of Rev. Hildred's family and friends from his previous post at Darfield in the Diocese of Sheffield.
Rev. Hildred said the service had been a real mix of emotions for him ahead of beginning his rectorship in Kidderminster East.
He said: "It was great to have this formal beginning to my ministry in Kidderminster, but it would have been even better to be able to stand next to people in church to do it.
"I’m now looking forward to getting started properly after all the delays caused by the virus; to making new friends and building links in the community."
Colin Emeny, churchwarden at St Mary’s Church in Stone, said he looked forward to welcome Rev. Hildred and his wife Hilary to the parish.
He said: "The parish of Kidderminster East has been in vacancy for some time and it was wonderful to welcome David and Hilary and to be able to take part in this service, even if it was by Zoom.
"At some time in the future we will definitely give him and Hilary a proper Kidderminster East welcome at his installation service, when things return to normal."
To find out more about Rev. Hildred and the parish of Kidderminster East, go to http://kidderminstereast.org.uk/
