Ministry Team

Licensed Ministers

Rev'd Leila Mather - Rector

Rev'd Leila arrived in the benefice in 2020 as our curate, and loved us enough to stay on as Rector, following the departure of her predecessor and the House for Duty priest. Leila ministers across the entire benefice and lives in Charminster Parish.

Rev'd Preb Liz Cross

Liz serves predominantly in the Chalk Stream Villages, having spent much of her ministry in the Parish of Stratton.

Rev'd Bruce Dixon

Bruce mainly serves the parishes of Charminster and Stinsford.

Canon Dick Luther

Dick serves across the whole benefice, and formerly ministered in Ferndown and Weymouth.

Rev'd Richard Press

Richard has recently regained his PTO and will serve across the benefice, joining us from Dorchester.

Rev'd Dr Hugh Willis

Hugh is a retired Army Dentist, and locally ordained clergyman who served his curacy in our benefice (a few years ago). Hugh ministers across the benefice.

Nick Gill (Trainee LLM)

Nick is not yet licensed for ministry but is currently training for Licensed Lay Ministry at Sarum College in Salisbury. Nick serves across the benefice.

Commissioned Ministry

The Benefice has a number of Lay Worship Leaders and Lay Pastoral Assistants. These are:

Charminster: Bernard Tinker (LWL), Polly Sampson (LPA), Ruth Young (LPA), Jill Vines (LPA), Stephen Milner and Hanna Milner (Vergers). Susan Maccrae and Gaynor Luther are also DBS checked and able to join pastoral visits.

Stinsford: Shirley Churchill (LWL), Sally Warburton (PSO) is also authorised to conduct pastoral visits.

Bradford Peverell: John Desborough (LWL)

Stratton: Nick Gill (LWL)

Sydling St Nicholas: Angela Shaw (LWL, LPA), Charles Hodgson (LWL), Suzanne Legg (LPA)

Charminster School Open the Book Team: Gaynor Luther, Polly Sampson, Brenda Edwards, Angela Fowler, Dick Luther.