https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbfLUzpIX0
Former pub landlady and social worker Rev Janet Wyer is leaving her post as associate priest at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich city centre after five years on Sunday after being appointed as rector of the Kessingland Benefice near Lowestoft.
After being a landlady of a village pub for 11 years and a social worker Janet’s calling to ordained ministry came as she sat reading an article in the Eastern Daily Press about a long-serving woman verger at Norwich Cathedral.
Coincidentally, the very next day Janet saw a job-share advert for a verger at the city-centre church of St Peter Mancroft. She applied for it and was successful. Janet was also was appointed in 2004 as a youth worker where she inspired many with her energy and ideas. It was in this role which prompted Janet to start exploring her calling to ordained ministry.
In 2007, Janet left St Peter Mancroft to take up her curacy at the Chet Valley Benefice which serves in parishes of Chedgrave, Hales, Hardley, Heckingham, Langley, Loddon and Sisland in Norfolk.
Janet returned to St Peter Mancroft in 2010 with many ideas and a plenty of energy. During her time Janet set up St Peter’s Playtime & St Peter’s Praise in which children are invited to participate in worship and discover who Jesus is with messy crafts and worship. St Peter’s Playtime would see over 50 children and their parents/carers attend and leave with new knowledge and lots of completed crafted items.
Janet also oversaw the running of a toddlers group called Noah’s Ark which inspired the churches float in the Lord Mayor’s procession. Her outreach included the creation of Church Without Walls which gives people an opportunity to engage with Jesus in an informal setting.
All of this complimented her work as a trustee of Celebrate Norfolk, chair of trustees for Churches Together in Central Norwich and her work with Transforming Norwich.
Despite undertaking all of these roles, Janet still found time to host house groups including Alpha.
Holding a position at a civic church in Norwich, Janet was asked to lead prayers for the city’s Christmas lights switch on and other civic ceremonies within the city. She was also chaplain to YMCA Norfolk and the All Saints Centre.
Darren Lake, from St Peter Mancroft, said: “Janet’s work goes on and on but our prayers are with her new ministry at Kessingland Benefice. Janet has touched a lot of people’s hearts and will be missed.”
A farewell service for Janet will take place at St Peter Mancroft on Sunday March 15, Mothering Sunday, from 10-11am, all are welcome.
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