The Diocese of Norwich is delighted to announce that Revd Lucy Dallas will be taking on the role of Diocesan Director of Ordinands & Initial Ministerial Education (DDO & IME2) from April 2025.
A pivotal position within the diocese, Lucy will play a central and active role in encouraging people to think about vocation in all its forms, while also overseeing and directing discernment, training and formation.
Lucy will be joining from the Eastern Region Ministry Course (ERMC) where she is currently Director of Pastoral Studies and Vice-Principal.
Sharing her excitement at taking on the role, Lucy said:
“I am so looking forward to serving God’s people in the Diocese of Norwich as DDO and IME2 officer. I have come to know and love Norfolk and the Waveney Valley over the last decade through my work mentoring and teaching those in training for lay and ordained ministries at ERMC, and moved to Norwich with my family two years ago.
“It is a great privilege to walk alongside people as they respond to God’s call, and I am excited to see what God has in store for the Church as we seek to grow as prophetic, prayerful and pastoral communities of faith.”
Prior to her ordination in 2012, Lucy worked as a teacher in her hometown of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Remaining in the county, she served her curacy in a multi-parish benefice in rural Hertfordshire and ministered as Team Vicar in an urban benefice on the edge of north London.
In addition to wide-ranging subsequent experience in parishes and working with ordinands, Lucy holds a Master of Studies degree in New Testament Theology from the University of Oxford in addition to first-class degrees in English Literature and Theology.
Sharing his enthusiasm about Lucy joining the diocese, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, said:
“I am delighted that Lucy Dallas has been appointed to this crucial role in helping people discern God’s call to ministry and supporting our curates in their training. Lucy comes with much experience rooted in parish ministry, as well as working with ordinands during their training and formation.
“This seems an ideal role for Lucy’s gifts, and I look forward to seeing the current trajectory of increasing numbers of people coming forward to explore vocation continuing under her care.”
Discussing the significance of the appointment, Revd Richard Lamey, Director of Mission & Ministry for the Diocese of Norwich, said:
“I am so excited by this appointment. Lucy is already well-known to many in the diocese as the Vice-Principal of ERMC, the regional training college where many of our clergy and LLMs train for ministry.
“We had a strong field of candidates and were delighted that Lucy accepted the role when she was offered it. We are hoping Lucy will be licensed in the Cathedral during the Easter season. Please look out for news of that – and please pray for Lucy as she prepares for this pivotal new role, and for those involved at ERMC as they prepare to bid farewell to a trusted friend and colleague.”