The Chaplain

Claire’s journey into ministry began in a very different setting—her background is in nursing, where she specialised in intensive care. After leaving school in Coventry, she moved to Lancaster to study for a BSc in Nursing, spending four years training in a field she loved. The location, so close to the Lake District, was an added joy, and she made lifelong friends along the way. After qualifying, she worked in this demanding profession before feeling called to explore a different kind of care—pastoral ministry.

While discerning her call to ordination, Claire served for three years as a Children’s and Families Missioner at St Peter’s Church, Balsall Common, supporting young people and their families in their faith journeys. She trained for ordination at St Mellitus College, London, and was ordained in 2021 at Birmingham Cathedral. Her formation included a placement at St Nicholas Church, Warwick, followed by a curacy at St John’s. In November 2024, she was licensed into her current role as Associate Vicar at St John’s, with a particular focus on leading a church plant on the Langley development.

Claire is passionate about building welcoming communities of faith where people of all ages can grow spiritually. Alongside her ministry, she enjoys running, cold-water swimming, and long walks across the fields with her two dogs. She is married and has three children—Jacob, Jamie, and Josie—who keep life busy and full of joy!

Claire is honoured to serve as Chaplain to the High Sheriff and looks forward to supporting him in this role over the coming year.