FOR nearly 12 years Revd Canon Richard Lamey has led the Parish of St Paul’s, Woosehill, and St Nicholas as its rector.
In July he will say goodbye to both the parish and the town, as he and his family relocate to Norfolk.
Wokingham.Today asked him about his time in the parish and his plans for the future.
“We moved to Wokingham in 2012,” he said, “And I was licensed at the end of November.
“I had been the vicar of a smaller church in East Manchester, where we were very happy for seven years, but coming to St Paul’s enabled me to work in a bigger, better resourced, and more complex parish.
“I’ve been well supported, and given opportunities to grow in quiet confidence, but I’m very much the same person – you could say that I’m more me.”
Fr Richard values Wokingham’s strong sense of community.
“It’s been really good fun to be part of a flourishing community with plenty of resources that’s also generous and caring,” he said.
“I’m grateful for the people I’ve worked with; the charities, the councillors, the schools, the GP surgery, and the nursing homes in the town.
“People look after their neighbours and give their time generously, and the borough really models what a good community should look like.
“It has been a joy to see Jesus at work in people, and to watch their faith deepening.”
In Norwich, Fr Richard will be the director of mission and ministry, leading a team of about 10 experts in children’s work, youth work, fundraising, the environment, and social justice.
“We want to make a positive difference, encouraging local churches to try new things and grow in confidence,” he explained.
“And we’ll be supporting people as they volunteer, train as preachers, and consider being ordained.”
Asked what he will miss about Wokingham, he replied: “In this role, there’s organising and planning, but it’s also about being there for people at different times in their lives, trying to be approachable, friendly and warm in every situation.
“I’ve loved my job, and we’ve been very happy – it’s a great privilege to be rector of any church, but particularly so here.
“I’ll miss taking services in all three churches, the congregations – friends through good times and bad, the wider deanery, and being rooted in this community where churches are flourishing.
“We’ve seen numbers grow here in the last six months, and that gives congregations confidence and ability to contribute even more to local charities, like FoodShare, First Days, Soulscape, and The Link, and to make an impact.
“I’ll miss all of these things, but I’m prepared for the next step, and excited by it.”
Bertie, the church’s fictional mouse, pens regular news emails.
People have drawn pictures and knitted versions of him, and he’s become an embodiment of the parish.
Asked whether Bertie will be leaving with him,” Fr Richard said: “By popular demand, he is definitely staying in Wokingham where he’ll continue to deliver news and to provide a focal point for the community.
“Where he came from is a bit of a mystery, and no-one’s quite sure who created him, but his emails have been fun to write.
“He can be opinionated at times, and I enjoy his bad jokes, but during the pandemic he was a uniting force, delivering a friendly daily message to 300 people in isolation.
“It’s about taking the right things seriously, and not worrying about stuff that isn’t important.
“I think that’s true of the parish too.
“St Paul’s has a strong tradition of worship, and things are done well, but people aren’t obsessive about it.
“For example, on Sunday, we had two very young children in church.
“At one point I processed formally down the aisle holding the Gospel book above my head.
“Soon afterwards, one of the little boys, who wasn’t used to being in church, picked up a hymn book and walked down the aisle, exactly as I had.
“Everyone was thrilled, and this little boy’s contribution absolutely melted everyone’s heart.
“He just wanted to take part, and felt able to join in – and that’s what a good church community and good worship does.”
Fr Richard’s last Sunday as rector is on July 14, when all three churches will gather for a joint 9.30am service at St Paul’s Church, followed by games and a picnic at St Paul’s Junior School field.
Then at 4pm, coffee and cake will be served in St Paul’s Parish Rooms.
Everyone is welcome to any part of the celebrations.
‘It’s been a privilege, and whoever comes here will be very, very fortunate,” said Fr Richard.
For information, visit: www.spauls.co.uk
