New Rector arrives via Zoom

A special service to welcome the new Team Rector of Kidderminster East took place on Zoom on Thursday night. The Revd David Hildred is the first new clergy person to join the Diocese of Worcester since the Coronavirus pandemic and to be welcomed on Zoom. This service marks the official start of David’s ministry in the five churches of Kidderminster East.

David and his wife Hilary have moved to Kidderminster from Darfield in the Diocese of Sheffield. Using Zoom technology meant that just 100 people were able to join the service of welcome, which was led by the Bishop of Worcester and the Archdeacon of Dudley. Along with representatives from the churches in Kidderminster, those joining the service included members of David’s family as well as friends from previous parishes and elsewhere – including some living in Sweden! After the service, everyone was randomly allocated in breakout rooms so they could chat together more informally.

David said: “Sadly some technical issues meant that not everyone was able to join who had been invited, but generally the service went well. It was a real mix of emotions for me – 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: “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. With David now in post we look forward to his ministry with us. 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.”

The Archdeacon of Dudley, Nikki Groake, said: “A wonderful team of people used technical, creative and musical skills to produce a service which was really meaningful. They marked this special occasion under the constraints we all face, showing that although church buildings are not open for gathered worship, church congregations are very much still getting things done!”

The recording of the service of welcome has been posted on the Kidderminster East website (http://kidderminstereast.org.uk/).