Bishop’s Chaplain, Stuart Currie will be retiring from his role at the end of August.
Stuart joined our diocese in 1994 as Vicar of St Stephen’s Church in Worcester and for the past ten years has been Bishop’s Chaplain to both Bishop John and Bishop Hugh. Stuart moved into the Diocese from Banbury having been ordained in the Diocese of Oxford.
“I’ve loved the people and communities of the Diocese of Worcester,” Stuart continued. “As a vicar, you have privileged engagement in people’s lives and that’s been very important to me. I will also miss my fabulous colleagues. I loved working with Bishop John as well as with Bishop Graham and Bishop Martin, and it’s been great to get to know Bishop Hugh. I’m sorry not to be carrying on as Chaplain, but I’m 72 now and this year is the 40th anniversary of my Priesting so it feels like the right time to retire.”
During his time in the Diocese, Stuart has served as Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education, Chair of the House of Clergy (as well as Chairing the national group of all Chairs of Houses of Clergy), a member of General Synod, Rural Dean of Worcester East, Chaplain to the Alice Ottley School and the Royal Grammar School and Chair of the Magdeburg Steering Group. He is also the longest continuously serving Honorary Canon at the Cathedral having been appointed to that role in 2009!
“While there have been many changes during my time in the Diocese, fundamentally the role of the clergy is the same as it always was – to love God, love neighbour and encourage others to follow Christ. Highlights have definitely been the many weddings, baptisms and funerals that I’ve conducted over the years.” said Stuart.
After retirement Stuart is planning to do some academic research and get involved in the church in Ledbury where he now lives. He is also looking forward to spending more time with his family – wife Nicky who is a former communications officer in the Diocese, and now is a full time artist and his two daughters, Sarah, who teaches English, and Fran, an artist who painted the official portrait of Bishop John.
“I’m expecting it to be just like being a student again; getting up when I want to, writing things when I want to and wandering down to the pub when I want to!” continued Stuart. “I am blessed to have had such a wonderful ministry in Worcester and I’m grateful to all those who have supported me my Christian pilgrimage – the debt I owe to so many people is too big to put into words.”
There will be an opportunity to say goodbye to Stuart before his retirement at the end of summer.
