Bishop appoints new rector for Shedfield and Wickham


    Category
    General
    Date
    27 Jan. 2025
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    BISHOP Jonathan has appointed Canon Fiona Grove to be the new rector of Shedfield and Wickham, it was announced today.

    Fiona will be licensed by the bishop as rector of the united benefice of St John the Baptist, Shedfield, and St Nicholas Wickham, on May 13, subject to a DBS check.

    She brings 25 years of ministry experience to the role. She has spent all of her ordained ministry to date in the Diocese of Winchester where she is an honorary canon.

    Fiona served her curacy in Bitterne, before becoming associate vicar in Chandler’s Ford. She was later vicar of St Luke’s Hedge End and area dean of Eastleigh.

    Educational chaplaincy followed in a secondary school and Fiona currently works at the University of Winchester as lead chaplain. She is married to Matthew and they have five children between them.

    Matt currently works for the Diocese of Guildford as programme manager for the Foundations in Ministry Programme for lay leaders. Previous to this role, Matt was ordained in Portsmouth Diocese and served his curacy in Purbrook and Portsdown with the Rev Andy Wilson. Matt feels like he is coming home again to a diocese that he knows well and has fond memories of.

    Fiona said: “I’m really looking forward to the move to Portsmouth Diocese and to being part of the outworking of the exciting strategic vision and life-transforming encounters with Jesus for all.

    “This role has provided the missing jigsaw piece to the next stage of life and ministry for us, and Shedfield and Wickham is a place already close to our heart. We can’t wait to see how God’s Kingdom will grow and develop through the faithful witness of folk in the united benefice.”

    St John the Baptist


    Church Road, Shedfield, SO32 2HY

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    St Nicholas


    Southwick Road, Wickham, PO17 6HP

    More info

    Vision and Strategy


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