Pioneer Priest for St Illtyd Ministry Area

Bishop Cherry is delighted to announce the appointment of Revd Rachel Nelmes as Pioneer Priest in the St Illtyd Ministry Area.

Ordained in 2023 as a non-stipendiary priest, Rachel has been completing her curacy in the Mynydd Bedwellty Ministry Area whilst working for the Diocese (Diocesan Board of Finance) as Children’s and Families Advisor. For the past 12 months she has been using her gifts and knowledge in children’s and school's ministry to undertake a pilot project in Abertillery, developing the relationship between the Church and local schools. It was the learning from this project which helped inform our successful Growth Fund bid for Schools Engagement Pioneers.

With this new role Rachel will be able to develop these relationships further by becoming embedded in the community and re-planting a congregation into St Michaels Church in Abertillery.

A licensing service will be held after Easter.