Latest members admitted to the Company of St Kyneburga

12 people were admitted to the Company of St Kyneburga last Monday (16 June) – an annual tradition that recognises those who have made notable contributions to the Diocese of Gloucester.

The new members were admitted to the Company by Bishop Robert and received their badge of membership at a service in the Cathedral.

The Company of St Kyneburga was established in 2013 and is made up of people recognised for their valuable contributions to the Diocese of Gloucester. Members are put forward by area deans, diocesan staff and others.

We are really thankful for the ministry of the nominees and their dedication to the Church. Here is some information about the wonderful new members and all of their amazing contributions to our worshipping communities.

Richard Bluck

Churchwarden at Weston-on-Avon since 2012, Richard has served All Saints Church faithfully for most of his life, bringing the same dedication to church life as he does to his work on the land. While running his farm and local shop—providing affordable produce and fostering community values—Richard quietly supports the practical and pastoral needs of the church. He keeps the church building in good condition, offers help wherever it is needed, and extends his support to other churches in the benefice. Known for his wisdom, kindness, and generosity (often shared in the form of vegetables!), Richard’s service is a deeply rooted expression of his faith.

Mary Gould

Mary Gould has been a committed member of St Mary de Crypt Church (now part of the Parish of Hempsted and City Centre Churches) for over 60 years, where she currently serves as a PCC member, Deanery Synod representative, and Parish Safeguarding Officer. She was among the first in the Diocese of Gloucester to be commissioned as a Pastoral Assistant, leading a weekly outreach initiative, “Coffee and Chat”. A trained Lay Worship Leader, Mary regularly leads services and serves as liturgical deacon. She is Lay Chair of Gloucester City Deanery and recently rejoined Diocesan Synod, where she brings wisdom and an inclusive voice. Mary also actively supports Messy Church and Christian Aid in the parish.

Jos Grant

Jos has served Christ Church for 62 years, faithfully acting as server at every service and event during that time. In addition to his role as Churchwarden, he has served on the PCC and as a server and sidesperson. Known for his hospitality, Jos ensured everyone felt welcome, regardless of their background. Even after Christ Church closed, Jos remained an active member of St James Church, contributing to the newsletter and attending services via Zoom when unable to be there in person.

Pat Hearne

Pat has been a deeply committed and active member of her church for many decades, offering her time, faith, and energy in countless ways. A long-standing choir member and former PCC representative, she is also part of the Ministry and Home Communion teams, regularly leading prayers and Lay-Led Worship—even across interregna. Pat supports baptism preparation, care home ministry, and countless practical tasks behind the scenes. She co-founded the popular monthly “Friendship Group”, helps lead church hospitality and fundraising events, and is central to a growing warm-space community hub. At 87, her dedication, hospitality, and pastoral heart continue to bless and inspire the whole parish.

Kay Hensley

Kay has faithfully served Christ for nearly five decades at St Cyr’s, Stonehouse, and within the wider Stroudwater Team. A long-serving Lay Reader, she regularly led family services, took funerals, offered home communions, and ministered in care homes. Her ministry has included running Sunday School and youth groups, leading Bible study and prayer groups, and organising the local Women’s World Day of Prayer. She has also supported parish life as PCC treasurer and secretary, church keyholder, cleaner, fundraiser, as well as producing the parish magazine. A committed member of the Mothers’ Union, Kay has served at local and diocesan levels, including a term as Diocesan President.

Steve Longton

Since 2016, Stephen has offered faithful and dedicated service as a Trustee, and later Chair of Trustees, of the Viney Hill Adventure Centre, helping to guide and support its ministry to young people, even through the challenges of the pandemic. Alongside this, he has served the parish church in Lydney with great commitment, taking on the key roles of Parish Safeguarding Officer, Treasurer, and Churchwarden. His leadership and support have been crucial both to the life of the Adventure Centre and the flourishing of the local church community.

Derrick Pierce

Derrick has faithfully served the Church of England as a Reader for 30 years, ministering in Avening and Cherington since 2005. His consistent leadership has been especially vital during periods of vacancy, sustaining a regular and varied pattern of worship. In addition to his preaching and pastoral ministry, Derrick has served as Parish Safeguarding Officer since the role’s inception, guiding both churches through evolving safeguarding requirements. His dedication to these roles has been instrumental in enabling the congregations to thrive, and his ministry is held in deep appreciation by the church communities he serves.

Susan Roberts

Susan Roberts is a cherished member of the family of rural parishes known as Seven Towers Benefice, serving the church and community since before the benefice was established. Sue became churchwarden in 1996 for StCatherine’s, The Leigh, offering her devotion and service for nearly 30 years, and her servant heart remains despite stepping back from that role a year ago. As well as tending the fabric of the church, organising community meals and events, leading worship and encouraging prayer and mission, Sue has also been a dedicated friend of neighbouring parishes, supporting them in prayer and offering practical help with humility and generosity. She has embodied the kind of self-less fellowship which is vital for the health and growth of the church, and the benefice is delighted that she is being admitted to the St Kyneburga community in recognition of this service.

Rosemary Simms

Rosemary has been the dedicated organist at St John the Baptist, Kingscote, since 1958, faithfully playing for Sunday services as well as for weddings and funerals. She became organist at 16, having been the only member of the choir able to read music, and continued her training with lessons at St George’s Church, Nailsworth. From 1958 to around 1995, she also played for services in the nearby churches of Ozleworth, Leighterton, Horsley, and Bagpath. Her service spans over six decades, marked by unwavering commitment, even continuing to play through the challenges of arthritis. She remains a joyful and constant presence in the worshipping life of the parish.

Vivienne Troughton

Viv has been a passionate and effective witness to the Christian faith since becoming a committed Christian while training as a teacher in the 1960s. A Reader since 2002, she has led worship and preached regularly in both school and church settings, while also serving on deanery and diocesan synods. Her ministry includes organising all-age services, pastoral visiting, evangelism initiatives, and founding a local prayer group. Viv is especially known for her warmth, creativity, and deep commitment to connecting with people of all ages through education, storytelling, and music. Her lifelong dedication to teaching and disciple-making has richly blessed her church and community.

Mrs Non Van den Braak

Non has been a vital part of the Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) ministry in her parish for over 20 years, serving faithfully and selflessly alongside the employed CYF Minister. She supports weekly toddler groups, youth sessions, and SPLASH (Sunday school), as well as parish events such as breakfasts, sports days, and holiday camps. Non also regularly leads Sunday morning youth discussions—often providing breakfast too. Known for her quiet dedication and pastoral warmth, she naturally connects with young people and families, offering encouragement and care. Her consistent, behind-the-scenes presence has made a lasting impact on the spiritual life of the parish.

Pepita Walker

On moving to the Cotswolds, Pepita soon became involved in church and community life. After many years on the PCC, running youth and church groups, supporting the repairs and re-opening of St Luke’s, Frampton Mansell and the Village Hall, as well as being a Foundation Governor of Sapperton CofE school, Pepita took the difficult decision to get ordained and, with the support of her husband Paul, worked as a non-stipendary priest in the Thameshead Benefice. Having taken the Benefice through vacancy 12 years ago and then continued to work tirelessly in the parish and benefice, she retired.

Six months later, she returned to parish and benefice ministry, now holding PTO. She is now being increasingly called upon as the Benefice is once again in vacancy. Pepita supported the community through covid, remains the school Chaplain and Governor, takes regular services, Occasional Offices, and provides guidance and support to lay leaders and the PCC. All this is done with wisdom, common sense, good humour, kindness, creativity and a love for God. Her role in supporting the community as well as the church has been constant.

Bill Irving

Bill, now a Reader Emeritus, has dedicated over 40 years of service as a licensed Reader in the diocese, beginning when Helen was about 12 years old. Throughout his tenure, he has generously assisted his own benefice and across the diocese, is always willing to lend a hand. Bill spent many years as Warden of Readers, supporting numerous individuals in following that vocation.

For around 20 years, Bill was one of the trainers of the 10-strong ACCORD team. His role involved running courses for lay volunteers in parishes on relationship topics such as visiting and befriending, supporting the bereaved, and preparing couples for baptism and marriage. He also attended monthly meetings with other trainers to review existing courses and plan new ones.