St Bartholomew’s Church, Wednesbury welcomed The Revd Canon Ben Whitmore this Sunday 12 January as Interim Minister to St Bartholomew’s, St Luke’s and St Paul’s Wednesbury, following a period of retirements and departures which had left the churches without a minister. The retirement of the Rural Dean of Wednesbury, The Revd Jeremy Sylvester who provided some ministry in the churches, in September 2024, was the last departure. Canon Whitmore is also the new Rural Dean.
Canon Whitmore comes with a track record as an interim minister helping churches to find a way forward after difficult times, identifying their strengths and focussing on creatively fashioning a new future. He is also skilled at bringing in resources from nearby and in making the best use of what is available locally. His appointment is intended to bring the churches to a point where they are ready to recruit their own permanent ministers.
Canon Whitmore is expected to be there for up to a year. During that time, he will offer a period of support and stability to the churches and address questions with them that should prepare them for the future. His aim will be to maintain and enhance where possible the churches’ ability to serve their communities and offer worship. He will act as a focal point for the congregations of all three churches.
His welcome at St Bartholomew’s follows his licensing as Canon Missioner at Lichfield Cathedral on Friday 10th January. This new role will see him offered as an interim minister over time in places where such an arrangement can provide nurture and support to churches, such as where there is a long vacancy or where there have been other disruptions to ministry.
Revd Canon Ben Whitmore said: “I am excited to be going to Wednesbury. I have already begun to get to know people and find them to have tremendous heart and optimism for the future. It is my hope to harness the goodwill and energy of people and together service the community around us. We aim to reach the point where we are ready again to invite new people through our doors to find fresh hope for their lives and for the community. I also hope that the church hall will soon be able to offer itself as community venue once more.”
Revd Jim Trood, Acting Archdeacon of Walsall, said: “It is heartening to see Ben already at work in creating relationships and bringing people together with their eyes on the future and focussing outwards on serving and loving the people of Wednesbury.”
The Rt Revd Dr Tim Wambunya, Bishop of Wolverhampton who was also present on Sunday said: “It has been a difficult period, but here are people who have come out of that with the quiet confidence in the future that is born of deep faith. That is a great foundation on which to rebuild. When we co-operate together in fresh endeavours we find the truth that what seems humanly impossible is possible with God’s help.”
The role is a result of a collaborative brief for Canon Ben Whitmore's appointment as Canon Missioner for Lichfield Diocese.