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A familiar face has been appointed vicar in the Newport North West Ministry Area.Having served her curacy in the area, Revd Liz Houghton will be starting her new role next month.The Rt Revd Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth, says: “I am delighted that Liz has accepted this new and exciting role. Having served her curacy there, she brings a real understanding of the new ministry area with its opportunities and its challenges.“With her missional approach and her pastoral heart together with her energy and vision, Liz will continue to be a great asset to churches and communities in that part of our city as well as to the ministry team. Please pray for her as she prepares to take on her new responsibilities alongside her colleagues and congregations.”Liz was ordained in 2020 and priested in 2021, when many covid restrictions were still in place, meaning both services were very small, but equally, very special.Speaking of her new role, Liz says: “I am really happy to continue this next phase of my journey as team vicar in Newport North West Ministry Area. I have enjoyed a fabulous curacy here, accompanied by the wonderful people and ministry team. As I take on this new role, I look forward to deepening relationships within the community, and for the next part of the journey that God has chosen for me.“I’m looking forward to sharing my happy news with some of the lovely people who’ve been with me thus far.”Licensing service will be held on Wednesday 29th March 2023, St Mary’s, Malpas at 7pm.Biography:Revd Liz was raised in the Cotswolds on a farm where her Dad was a shepherd. At 18, she moved to Cheltenham to train in catering management, working at various racecourses as a staff manager for the caterers.She married husband Russell in 1989 and had two sons in 1995 and 1998.In 2000 the family moved to Caldicot, and it was a few years later that Liz ‘returned’ to Church after a significant break thanks to her children attending a church school and an after-school church club.In 2008 following a difficult pregnancy, Liz found herself on a journey that led to where she is today. She gradually became more and more involved in Church life in Caldicot Benefice, helping with admin, undertaking pastoral visits, taking funerals, writing, leading and preaching at services.During this time, she voiced a sense of vocation to the priesthood that led her to Provincial panel in 2017. She trained with St Padarns with placements in Caldicot and Chepstow, before being ordained deacon in 2020.