New archdeacon of Newark, the Rev Victoria Ramsey, is appointed

A new Archdeacon of Newark has been appointed.

The Rev Victoria Ramsey, known as Tors, will take up her new appointment in the summer.

Over the past few years, she has been supporting parishes in her role as church growth and planting enabler for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.

She said: “I was delighted to accept Bishop Paul’s invitation to become the next Archdeacon of Newark.

“I have had the privilege of working with many parishes in the archdeaconry in my current role and I have experienced the rich diversity of the contexts in this area, including our many rural communities, market towns and more populated areas of Mansfield and Ashfield.

“While the past months have brought many challenges, I have been so encouraged by the response of churches to their communities, whether it be serving in practical ways, offering friendship and compassion, or being centres of hope and life.

“Looking ahead, there is much to work on together and so many opportunities to be carriers of the good news of Jesus Christ.

“I am looking forward to continuing to encourage parishes in the work they are doing and partnering with them to listen for the lead and prompting of the Holy Spirit in His mission in this part of the county.”

In her new role, Tors will have particular responsibility for establishing and supporting new worshipping communities, building on her experience in church planting and growing congregations.

She will also have a role in helping to further develop the key relationships with schools, as well as with other partners who make an enormous contribution to building caring and cohesive communities, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tors grew up in South Wales before moving to London to study and work as a speech and language therapist in the NHS for 15 years.

After being involved in mission and ministry as a lay person for many years, Tors was ordained in 2011.

She served her curacy at Exeter Network Church and St Matthew’s Church in Exeter Diocese and at the end of that time, grafted a new worshipping community into St Matthew’s, where she became Vicar.

In 2018, Tors stepped into her current role of church growth and planting enabler in the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.

Tors is married to Adrian and they have two teenage children.

She loves travelling and exploring new places and new food. Relaxation involves music, walking the dog and watching films.

The Bishop of Southwell, the Right Rev Paul Williams, said: “I am very pleased that a thorough and prayerful discernment process has resulted in the appointment of someone who brings such a breadth of experience and gifts to the mission of God in the diocese at a time of increased opportunity as well as challenge.

“Tors has an energetic and hopeful vision for seeing churches grow in confidence, creativity and compassion.

“Over the past three years Tors has made an outstanding contribution to the life of the diocese serving as the church growth and planting enabler, helping to support congregations that are seeking to reach out in fresh ways, often through developing key partnerships in the wider community.

“She has brought to this work a naturally relational and prayerful outlook, along with a pragmatic efficiency, which I know will soon become hallmarks of her ministry as an archdeacon.”