Well-travelled vicar to settle in Great Yarmouth 

Rev. Richard Washington, a well-travelled individual with a multicultural background, has recently made Great Yarmouth his home. Born to a Dutch mother with Caribbean heritage and an English father, Richard has lived in various countries such as France, Belgium, Poland, and the United States. As the newly ordained Team Vicar for the Parish of Great Yarmouth, Richard is excited to make connections between his birthplace of Rotterdam and his new home. Part of his job involves providing pastoral care at the Pathway Café and Resource Centre, where his fluency in Polish allows him to communicate with visitors from various Eastern European countries. Richard’s experiences of living in different countries have helped him understand the challenges of adapting to a new language, system, and culture.

Richard’s journey to ordination was not straightforward, as he initially strayed away from his faith during a career in acting. However, a period of unemployment and soul-searching led him back to his calling. He describes how his re-conversion in Poland reignited his sense of purpose and led him on a path towards ordination. Despite his previous life of travel, Richard now finds strength and direction in spending time each morning with God, which he likens to “reassembling of the pieces with His help.” He sees his role in Great Yarmouth as a way to work alongside the community and nurture the goodness that he believes God has placed in the town and its people.

Richard’s experiences of personal struggle and rediscovery allow him to relate to the individuals he encounters at the Pathway Café. He emphasizes that everyone faces challenges and moments when the floor can collapse beneath them, leading to a sense of shared humanity and empathy. Richard’s return to faith and subsequent journey to ordination have shaped his perspective on life and his role as a clergyman in Great Yarmouth. He views the town as a place of immense possibility where God’s transformative power can bring about beautiful things. Despite his past travels and experiences, Richard is content to focus on his work in Great Yarmouth and believes that he has found his calling in serving the community.

In his spare time, Richard enjoys exploring Great Yarmouth and caring for his dog, Maks. He reflects on the importance of his daily routine of prayer and connection with God, which sustains him in his work as a clergyman. Richard’s deep faith and sense of purpose guide him in his interactions with the community, where he seeks to recognize and nurture the potential for positivity and growth. As he settles into his new role in Great Yarmouth, Richard’s multicultural background, personal struggles, and rediscovered faith all contribute to his ability to connect with others and make a meaningful impact in the community.