New rector aims to reach out

The new team rector of the Oakham Team Ministry and Vicar of Oakham says he wants to try and ‘put faith back into the conversation’.

The Rev Stephen Griffiths was speaking after being installed by the Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Rev Donald Allister, on Sunday in a special service at All Saints’ Church in Oakham.

“In our day and age when decisions are difficult, people need faith and guidance,” the 39 year-old said.

“I think the church is good at opening up and I want to put faith back into the conversation.

“Any church has to reach out to the community - whether it’s the military or the town council, the schools as well as the people that make up the town.”

The Rev Griffiths has moved to Oakham with his wife Cally and two children, Jonathan, three and Alexander, one.

Originally from South Derbyshire near Burton upon Trent, the Rev Griffiths was schooled in Leicestershire and trained for ordination at Ridley Hall in Cambridge.

He served as a curate in Derby before becoming a Vicar and Rural Dean in Cumbria and was the Team Rector of the Cherwell Valley Benefice in Oxfordshire and Rural Dean of Bicester and Islip Deanery in his previous job.

As well as Vicar of Oakham, the Rev Griffiths will oversee the 10 churches that make up the Oakham Team Ministry in North West Rutland.

“It’s been a very warm welcome from the local community and the town,” he added.

“We’ve been living in the vicarage for about two weeks now and have received so many gifts and food. It was a lovely installation service with people from the town and villages coming to share in it.”

Alongside spending time with his family, the Rev Griffiths enjoys exploring the open countryside, playing the piano, organ and trumpet, cooking, growing food and visiting historic places.