IT is a new role and a move to the city for the next director of ministry and discipleship licensed at Worcester Cathedral on Saturday.

The Revd Canon Dr Jonathan Kimber, who was licensed during Evensong, has moved to Worcester from Northampton to take up the role which will involve helping to develop the ministry of all those in churches across Worcestershire and Dudley.

For the past nine years, he has been vicar of St Benedict’s Church in Northampton where he has helped to grow the congregation and supported people in growing their own faith

Dr Kimber said: "Since moving here last month, I've really enjoyed beginning to get to know Worcester and the surrounding area – what a great part of the world.

"Everyone I've met has been very kind and welcoming, so I'm feeling very much at home already.

"It's a new role for me, as well as being a new diocese, and it will take a little while to get to know people and places.

"But I really look forward to doing so and to discovering more about current great work and the challenges and opportunities that exist."

Bishop John preached about discipleship at the Evensong service during which Dr Kimber was licensed.

Bishop John said: “Jonathan comes here to take up a new post with an emphasis on encouraging discipleship throughout the Diocese.

"We don’t always need to get things right in order to be used by God.

"If we choose to let Him, He’ll use us despite our faults.

"The people of the Diocese of Worcester are wonderful but not perfect.

"We are flawed just like the first disciples of Jesus and all need encouragement in our discipleship.

"Jonathan, as you provide this encouragement, may you receive grace and may God bless you richly.”

Growing up in Northern Ireland, Dr Kimber studied maths at university and spent seven years working in London in computing, primarily for the John Lewis Partnership.

He trained for ministry in Durham before spending three years as curate at St Peter's Weston Favell, becoming Vicar of St Benedict's in 2005.

Dr Kimber has recently submitted a PhD on Leadership in the Church.

He is married to Lynne, a hospital pharmacist, and they have two children – Zoe, 12 and Matthew, 9.

His hobbies include music, bird watching and astronomy and enjoys walking in the countryside and following the cricket.