Ministry Team

Revd Joshua Whitnall (Rector)

I am delighted to have been appointed your new Rector, and thank you all for the wonderful welcome we have received. I look forward to getting to know you all and ministering together for many years to come. I am married to Beth, who is a shepherd by trade, we have two wonderful girls, Eden (4) and Iona (2), and are expecting our third child in January. Much of our family life revolves around the agricultural year, although Eden and I can often be found in a bird hide somewhere in Norfolk.

I am passionate about supporting rural communities and churches to thrive, my background is in rural ministry having served as both an ordinand and curate in large multi-church benefices.

Revd Sue Martin (Assistant Priest)

I have always been a Christian; God has been my light and inspiration all my life. My professional background is in education, as a headteacher and advisor in primary schools. In 2010 I followed God’s calling and became ordained at Norwich Cathedral. In 2011 I led the development of partnership working in diverse children’s faith groups with the Church of England’s Near Neighbours Team in the Diocese of Southwark. Around 2014 I became a hospital and hospice chaplain in West Norfolk.

West Norfolk has been my home since childhood. It is a joy to have returned, living out God’s calling to ministry in our churches and communities. I lead on Holy Communion and other services across the benefice, supporting our church schools with Collective Worship. I am also a Bishop’s Governor at Ashwicken C of E Primary School. In my professional life I continue to work with schools in the UK and abroad. I have a huge interest in pilgrimage having journeyed to places such as the Holy Land and Papua New Guinea, where I continue this involvement at a diocesan level.

Catch up with Revd Sue at her blog site : http://www.faithgoeswalkabout.org

Revd David Grundy (Clergy with PTO)

Judith and I retired to Grimston early last year (2024), and immediately felt that we wanted to worship and be part of the Benefice. I came to faith as a teenager, and later, while at university, sensed God nudging me through a series of ‘coincidences’ towards ordained ministry. Rural ministry has always been close to my heart, with the unique opportunities it provides for the church to engage the community. I was Vicar of Snettisham, Ingoldisthorpe and Fring for 10 years, before going into teaching, while Judith became incumbent of Denver Benefice in Ely Diocese. During this time, I also had an opportunity to teach English in a mountainous and relatively undeveloped province in Vietnam, and continue to teach several Vietnamese students online.

For me, being a Christian is a journey of discovery. I want to continue to learn from God for as long as I live. A key part of that journey, for me, is learning from people of faith in previous centuries as well as from those I now worship with and live alongside in this lovely group of villages.

Reader (LLM - Licensed Lay Minister) : Joy Smith

Psalm 30 verse 5 “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Well that’s how I got my name; my father was training to become a Vicar and that was the psalm the morning I was born. I first came to Norfolk in 1960 when my father became Rector of a small village in south Norfolk called Woodrising, we then moved to Ashwicken in 1970, were we lived until my father died in 1982. I moved with my mother into King’s Lynn but then when I got married in 1988 we decided to move back to the countryside and I presently live in Grimston. I have been involved with the church all my life and I became a Reader/Lay Minister in 1991. The Lord has worked in many ways in my life but he has always remained close to my Celtic heart.

AWA ( Authorised Worship Assistant): Jan Willson

I have lived in Pott Row for over 30 years, having come back to live in the village where my mother and grandmother were born, so I could be termed almost "local". I have loved my Lord and my Church for many years, and have enjoyed being part of St Botolph's Church family. I seem to have been on the PCC for ever, and Church warden for not quite so long! Last year I obeyed my Lord and agreed to become an Authorised Worship Assistant. It is so lovely to be able to support the ministry team and help with the services, and I am enjoying my new role very much - although I still have so much to learn and constantly pray for God's guidance.

AWA (Authorised Worship Assistant): Kim Frazer

Hello, my name is Kim Frazer and I live with my husband in a beautiful village called Great Massingham. Before we moved to Norfolk, a good few years ago now, my husband and I attended an Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Chapel. Moving to a new house, and a new County was quite a transition for us but moving to a new church was a real challenge. My husband and I had assumed that we would drive out of our village to find our new church but the Lord spoke to each of us, independently and told us that he had placed us here and we were not to drive past the church in the village. So we currently attend St. Mary’s in Great Massingham and are part of the PCC. My husband is the church treasurer and I have the privilege of being an AWA.

Rural ministry has its challenges but its blessings too and we hold fast to the Lord’s promise: DEUTERONOMY 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Amen!

AWA (Authorised Worship Assistant): Jerry Brown

I am 63 years old, married to Lucy and we have 4 grown-up children. My father came from a strong Methodist tradition. I admire the social conscience of Methodism. On marrying Lucy, I joined the Church of England. My faith has been strengthened by our many visits to the Taize community.

I am committed to church unity and a simple faith. I believe strongly that our church needs to become ever more inclusive - welcoming people of all ages and all persuasions.

AWA (Authorised Worship Assistant): Lucy Brown

I am 59 years old, married to Jerry and we have 4 grown-up children. My father was an Anglican priest, my mother comes from a family of priests. I grew up in a very busy vicarage and Christianity has always been central to my life. I love children and I am committed to working with them. I run the children’s workshops in Harpley church. I am the church warden.

My faith is a living faith. I believe in an inclusive church where all feel welcome.