THE new rector for the Westbury area has praised residents’ efforts and support for each other during a difficult year.
Rebecca Harris, team rector of the White Horse team ministry (Westbury, Westbury Leigh, Dilton Marsh and Brokerswood) arrived in January with her husband Robert.
“I started my new role at the beginning of February,” Rebecca told White Horse News. “It’s been a rather strange time to start a new job, since we went into lockdown only 6 weeks later.
“We have been getting to know people in Westbury and are discovering what a varied community it is, and have been very impressed with the way in which people have rallied round and supported the community during this very difficult year.
“I am looking forward to getting to know people better in 2021 as we look forward to better times ahead.”
Rebecca was ordained 25 years ago and started her service in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, as a curate. From there she went to a team ministry in the large market town of Chesham, Buckinghamshire, where she was a team vicar, looking after two small churches.
Rebecca and Robert were there for 12 years and it was the birthplace of their two children, who are now university students.
In 2011 they moved to Somerset, where Rebecca became rector of three semi-rural parishes just outside Taunton. “We enjoyed living in Somerset and being nearer family in the West Country,” she said. “When my children had left sixth form college, we started to wonder where God might be calling us to next, and this job came up in Wiltshire.
“We both enjoy walking and are loving exploring the wonderful countryside in Wiltshire – walking up to the White Horse became a favourite walk during lockdown. We also enjoy going to the cinema and theatre, but we haven’t been able to do much of that lately!”
