It’s not every day that you meet someone who has fallen head over heels in love with a city, but for Rev Heike Prentice, Norwich has stolen her heart. Originally from Germany, Heike has lived in the UK for 39 years and has recently made the move to Norwich with her husband Alistair. The couple has been in the city for just a few months, but they have already settled in and are loving every minute of it. Heike’s enthusiasm for the city is infectious, and she can’t help but express her gratitude to God for bringing them to this vibrant and welcoming place. As she puts it, “We’ve completely and utterly fallen in love with the city. I cannot think of a better place to live. There’s something for everybody; there’s a vibe, a friendliness. Thank you Lord for bringing us here!”
As the new reverend at St Stephen’s church, Heike has big shoes to fill. She takes over from Madeline Light, who retired in 2024 after leading the church for 15 years. Madeline was a trailblazer in her own right, being the first female vicar in a city centre church in Norwich. Heike is proud to be following in her footsteps and is delighted to be appointed as the new vicar. She feels a sense of responsibility to carry on the legacy of the church, but also to reimagine it and bring new ideas to the table. As she says, “I’m delighted to be here. It was an easy chemistry and it feels like I’ve been here a long time. On the one hand, I’ve got this gift of a legacy that I am stepping into. And another is a real responsibility as well, not just to carry it on, but to reimagine it.” Heike is excited to get to know the church community and to explore the many facets of St Stephen’s, which she believes has a unique and special spirit.
One of the things that Heike loves about St Stephen’s is the diversity of the community. The church is made up of people from all walks of life, with different backgrounds, cultures, and opinions. Despite their differences, the community is united in their commitment to each other and to their faith. Heike believes that this is a real strength of the church and something that is essential in today’s world. As she puts it, “What connects us are the passions and gifts that we have. As a church community, we are quite multicultural and we’re going to look at how we can develop this further.” She values the fact that people can openly disagree on topics while still getting on very well with each other, and sees this as an asset that is very important in the wider community.
As Heike starts her ministry at St Stephen’s, her priority is to invest in church life. This includes the cafe that runs at the church throughout the week, which provides a safe space for people to come and receive food, friendship, and support. Heike is amazed by the work of the team that runs the cafe, who respond to the challenges they face with prayer and see amazing outcomes. She believes that the cafe is a vital part of the church’s ministry, providing a place where people can come and experience the love of Jesus. As she says, “We have an absolute love of Jesus which you will find permeating everything that we do.” Heike is excited to be a part of this ministry and to see how she can contribute to the life of the church and the wider community.
Heike’s background is in ministry, having previously been responsible for a multi-parish benefice in the Chelmsford diocese. However, her new role at St Stephen’s is different, and she is relishing the challenge of getting to know the community and exploring the many facets of the church. She is excited to see how she can use her skills and experience to carry the church forward and to make a positive impact on the community. As she puts it, “I’ve got a gift of a legacy that I am stepping into. And another is a real responsibility as well, not just to carry it on, but to reimagine it.” Heike is a woman of great faith and compassion, and her love for Jesus and for the community is evident in everything she does.
As Rev Heike Prentice settles into her new role at St Stephen’s church, she is filled with excitement and anticipation. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and to be a part of the church’s ministry. With her warm smile and infectious enthusiasm, Heike is already making a positive impact on the community, and it’s clear that she is going to be a valued and loved member of the team. As she looks to the future, Heike is filled with hope and expectation, knowing that God has great things in store for the church and the community. With her leadership and guidance, St Stephen’s is sure to continue to thrive and to be a place of love, laughter, and community for all who come through its doors.
