New vicar for Amble and Chevington parishes
Rev Rachael Dines
The new Priest-in-Charge of St. Cuthbert’s, Amble and St. John the Divine, Chevington will be Revd. Rachael Dines. Rachael is currently a Team Vicar in the Dereham and District Team Ministry in Norfolk and will take up her post here in July.
Although Rachael’s father was a vicar, as is her younger brother, she happily worked as a teacher and had no thoughts of being ordained. “It started as an inkling, just a little feeling” says Rachael “I didn’t think it was real until I began to hear more and more people say to me that I should become a vicar!”
Rachael was trained for Ministry at Durham and has loved the North East ever since, when she saw the advert for Amble and Chevington she just had to apply. On a visit to the North East and Scotland, just after Christmas, Rachael came to see what the town and area was like. “It probably wasn’t the best time to see the town” she said “many shops were closed, it was a dreary and rainy day, it definitely didn’t show Amble at its best.” Rachael suddenly beams with joy “but the people were lovely and that’s what is important, I felt so welcome.”
Rachael has an interest in patchworks, cross stitch and historic samplers and revelled in her delight in finding ‘The Pin Cushion’ on Queen Street.
Who inspires her? “If I think about it, there is one person who no one will know, Anita Parkins, a headteacher I worked with, she had a beautiful heart. She cared for her pupils, the staff and parents with an equal love that lived out her faith, it’s the example of being there for people that matters.”
Lack of consideration, unkindness and thoughtlessness are what upsets her, and she values honesty and openness which is what she will give. Revd. Rachael is very joyful and personable; she is a people person and loves life. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she will engage with many aspects of community life. In addition, she has many other interests and is an advocate for live donor transplants.
Rachael enjoys the countryside and looks forward to walks on the beach with her eight-year-old rescue dog Maya, part bloodhound and part American cattle dog. She will be out and about in Amble and Chevington when she arrives, so do go and get to know her if you see her, if not she will certainly speak to you!
There will be a service to Licence Rachael as Priest-in-Charge of Amble and Chevington on Thursday 3 July.
