Welcome to Rev'd Adele Barker

Rev’d Adele writes:

I am delighted to have been called to the people, churches and communities of the Youlgrave and White Peak Benefices. At the licensing service on 24th May at All Saints, Youlgrave I was warmly welcomed as Priest in Charge - it was such a wonderful service attended by many across the benefices. I feel privileged to be called to such a wonderful place and have a sense of anticipation about all that God will do with us and through us in the years ahead.

Jeremy and I have moved from Kent and the Rochester Diocese. We have lived in North West Kent for all our married life, having met at University; Jeremy is from Kent but I have deep Lancastrian roots! We have four adult sons – Freddie, Alex, Ed and Nic, and Nic will be joining us in the Vicarage in Youlgrave when he finishes his last term at Lancaster University.

My first degree from Reading University is in Biochemistry and Physiology. After that I trained as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen in London and after qualifying worked as an analyst at Cazenove and Co.. I then worked for OMF International, where I remained until I started my training for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.

I served both my curacy (St Philip and St James Church, Walderslade) and first post (The Parishes of Fawkham and Hartley and Longfield) in the Rochester Diocese before sensing the call of God to ‘move North’ and after a period of discernment and prayer I applied for this post…and the rest you know.

I am passionate about God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the transformative encounter that enables life to be lived in all its fullness (John10:10). I am very interested in the links between spirituality and mission and enjoy exploring creativity in prayer, worship and mission.

I love walking and am often accompanied by our two dogs, Milo and Stella. I enjoy travelling, good food and wine and enjoy the creative arts; theatre, opera, music and art, and I keep chickens! Most of all I enjoy spending time with close family and friends.

Over the next months I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and hearing your stories. I am excited about all the future holds for us together and to see God’s Kingdom come more and more amongst us and within our communities.