Farewell to Claire Horton

As the Rural Field Officer for Sarum archdeaconry, Claire has supported a wide range of local ministry teams through collaborative ministry training (Thrive) and the development of new worshipping communities. These new forms of worship have encompassed everything from a Julian Prayer group to a travelling Messy Church Tent to the wonderfully named Lego Church. As a local leader put it, ‘You encourage us to look beyond the day to day and to see new possibilities’. 

Throughout her time as part of the Rural Hope Team, Claire has been a beacon for lay ministry in all its forms. As an LLM herself, Claire has worked hard to ensure that lay ministry plays a full and active role in the mission and ministry of the local church. This has also shone through in her additional role as Assistant Diocesan Vocations Coordinator, where she has had a particular focus on the discernment of lay ministry. 

Claire is leaving us to take up an exciting new role supporting parish development in the Diocese of Bath & Wells with a particular focus on supporting missional growth in their ‘Magnificat Parishes’ which are primarily focused around supporting the church areas of deprivation.