Audlem welcomes new Curate

Last Sunday, Revd Jules Walker was welcomed at St James Church as the new curate in the Benefice of Audlem, Doddington & Wybunbury.

The previous Sunday she was ordained Deacon at Chester Cathedral following training at St. John's College, Nottingham.

Jules comes with considerable experience in adult training in Liverpool diocese where she was responsible for ongoing training for those newly ordained.

Originally from Hampshire she lived in Germany in her early years before returning to Cheshire where she has lived most of her life.

She worked in the petrochemical industry for a while before her interest turned to theology which she studied at Chester University, graduating in 2005, which was followed by a Masters Degree in 2009.

Jules is married to Drew, who works as a Chaplain in Secure Youth Offending and Sixth Form contexts. She is mum to Josh (18), Thom (16), Amie (15) and Matt (13).

She says "We are very excited about moving into the area, looking forward to getting to know people and learning about ministry in beautiful South Cheshire. Please do stop me and say hello – I'd love to meet you all"

Footnote: In the Church of England a newly trained person is first ordained deacon and is authorised to undertake a limited number of aspects of ministry.

After a year they are ordained priest when they are, so to speak, full- fledged! During this time they serve as assistant curate to an experienced vicar, (in our case Helen Chantry). This is a period of practical training and continues for 3-5 years.

After this it is usual to become a vicar or move into some other form of ministry in the church. 

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