On Sunday 9th July it was announced that our Rector, Revd Wendy Dalrymple would be leaving us in the autumn to take up a new role as Precentor at Canterbury Cathedral.

Wendy's last Sunday with us will be October 15th and she 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. In this new role she will be head of worship and events at the mother church of the Anglican Communion, as she says 'very similar to what I have been doing at All Saints but on a slighter larger scale!'

As she announced the news Churchwarden Gywn Bates said:

Whilst we may feel surprised and sad to be losing Wendy and feel uncertain about the future for our wonderful, diverse, inclusive and joyous church, we hope you feel as proud of our Wendy as we do that she has been called to play such a hugely important role at the heart of the Church of England. Of course we will have plenty of time in the coming weeks to thank her personally and wish her well for the future as well as plan a suitably fabulous send off. In the mean time the warden and ministry team will be working alongside Wendy to make plans for when she leaves and to continue the work of being a church for all people.

During her time in Leicester Diocese Wendy has not only led us here 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 a place where inclusion is at the heart of the gospel message. As she often says 'we are a work in progress' and yet we have become a place that is known for an unconditional welcome to people from every walk of life and perhaps most signifcantly for LGBTQ+ Christians.

Recognising her multiple areas of ministry Bishop Saju, Bishop of Loughborough, 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.

You can read more about her new role here. Please keep Wendy, Chris and their family in your prayers in this time of change for them and be praying too for this new season at All Saints. We shall be saying more about how you can support and get involved with our ongoing ministry over the coming weeks but for now if you would like to offer any help to the Churchwardens as they prepare to lead us through the vacancy* please get in touch with Nicky and Gwyn on [email protected]

Wendy’s last Sunday will be 15th October when we shall say goodbye to her at both the morning Communion service and at a Choral Evensong. We are all invited to attend her licensing on 5th November at Canterbury Cathedral. If you would be interested in travelling by coach to this event please let the office know on [email protected] so we can begin to make plans.

*In the Church of England when a Rector or Vicar leaves a parish it is described as being in vacancy. During this time the churchwardens carry the responsibility of leading the church but they do so with the support of the wider warden and ministry team.