The Revd Canon Esther Prior, Vicar of St John’s Egham in the Diocese of Guildford has today been announced as the next Bishop of Aston at the Church of England Birmingham.
Only last month, Esther was made an Honorary Canon at Guildford Cathedral on the same Sunday she celebrated 21 years as an ordained minister. Her appointment as Bishop of Aston is yet further recognition of her great love for people and her drive to see the work of God within our communities.
Her passion for seeing thriving communities reflect the love of Jesus has shaped her journey ever since she became a Christian in her final year of university in Zimbabwe. In the following years, Esther felt called to “work for God”, which was a bold decision in a context where women were not ordained.
She moved to the UK in 1999 to begin her ordination training at Trinity College, Bristol. Since then, Esther has served as a School Chaplain, a Young Offenders’ Prison Chaplain and a Team Vicar in Farnborough before becoming Vicar in Egham.
Esther’s wider roles within the Diocese of Guildford and nationally include being a member of the Diocesan Synod, Bishop’s Council, General Synod (as Pro-Prolocutor), the Crown Nominations Commission and Chair of Trinity College, Bristol.
Following the announcement of her appointment Revd Canon Esther Prior said: “I have served in the Guildford Diocese for 13 years. I am grateful to colleagues across the diocese, especially to St John’s, Cove, for being such a gracious place for me to cut my teeth as a Parish Priest and St John’s, Egham for helping me grow as a disciple and a leader. I will carry you all in my heart as I retrace Bishop Andrew’s steps to Aston.
“I thank God for the opportunity to serve as the Bishop of Aston. Faith in Jesus Christ - especially in this Advent season - motivates me to look forward with hope and joy. I look forward to getting to know and love the communities of the Church of England Birmingham in the months to come.”
The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson said, “I am absolutely delighted that Esther is to be the next Bishop of Aston in the Diocese of Birmingham – my old job, in fact, and living in my old house! I am confident that Esther will find Birmingham to be a welcoming and encouraging place in which to minister; and am equally confident that Birmingham will take Esther to its heart, given her warmth and wisdom, her love for our Lord and love for His people.
“Meanwhile, we will hugely miss Esther here and are deeply grateful for all that she has given us over the past thirteen years.”
The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Rev Dr Michael Volland said, “I look forward to serving alongside Esther and I am confident she will be a wise and encouraging senior colleague to our clergy and congregations. Please do join me in praying that God will bless and strengthen her and the family, as they prepare to join us in the new year.”
Please join us in praying for Esther and her family as they prepare for this exciting move. Revd Canon Esther Prior will be consecrated as Bishop in 2025 after which she will begin her ministry in Birmingham.