CONGREGATIONS in Rhos-on-Sea are getting a new priest who hopes to assist in bringing a "refreshed" ministry.

The Reverend Rachel Dale will be licensed by the Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, on Sunday, February 25.

Mrs Dale, who has an eclectic taste in music and plays the guitar, piano and has been teaching herself the lyre, will be the new priest for the Aled Mission Area. She will be responsible for the churches of St George, Rhos-on-Sea, St Trillo, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, along with the tiny Chapel of St Trillo on the seafront. 

The service will be held at St George’s, Rhos-on-Sea, at 3pm.

Mrs Dale comes to North Wales from a ministry as rector of four rural churches on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border, although the Llandudno area is very familiar since her parents moved to the area 20 years ago.

Mrs Dale is married to Crispin, a university academic who is also training to be a Lay Reader in the Church.

She said: "I am excited to be joining everyone in Llandrillo-yn-Rhos and Rhos-on-Sea as we encounter the love of Jesus together in old and new ways.

"Over the years I have often prayed in St Trillo's Chapel asking God to unfold his purposes for me, so this feels very much like coming home."

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Mrs Dale was born and raised in Cheshire. After university in Cardiff, Mrs Dale worked in the hotel industry in the UK and overseas before moving into tourism and hospitality education, lecturing at undergraduate and postgraduate level.  After experiencing a strong but unexpected sense of calling to Christian ministry, Rachel was ordained in 2009.

Being creative plays an important part in Mrs Dale's ministry, whether writing, crafting, or other ways to help people encounter Jesus and to know how much they are loved by God.  

In her spare time Mrs Dale enjoys travelling, reading, baking, creating fused glass jewellery, and says she can make a "mean balloon animal when necessary."

Bishop Gregory Cameron said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Rachel to the Diocese of St Asaph.

"She brings a wealth of talents to assist in refreshing ministry to Rhos-on-Sea and the surrounding district."