The Bishop of St Asaph has joined the communities around Ruthin to welcome a new priest.

The Revd Diana Greenfield takes up a role as priest in the Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area and was formally welcomed at a service at St Michael’s Church, Efenechtyd, yesterday (Sunday 24 September).

Diana moves to the Vale of Clwyd from ministry in Glastonbury and Street where she was a pioneer priest for more than a decade.

She began her journey into full time Christian ministry 26 years ago when she moved to Sheffield to train with the Church Army. Later ordained as a pioneer priest, Diana has continued to develop a ministry which often sits outside, yet works alongside, existing church structures.  This has included nightclub chaplaincy and in more recent years Festival chaplaincy.

Diana enjoys studying theology and is part way through a professional doctorate exploring better ways for neo-Pagans and Christians to have open conversations about faith.

The Rt Revd Gregory Cameron said: “We’re delighted to welcome Diana from the Diocese of Bath and Wells to the new pattern of ministry evolving in Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area, as each member of the shared ministry team takes on a specialism in ministry. With her knowledge and experience of Spirituality and new spiritual movements, Diana will make a positive contribution to the work of the Church in Ruthin and its surrounding area.”

When Diana is not working or studying she enjoys spending time walking with her collie Cara and is looking forward to being able to revisit some of the north Wales countryside she was introduced to on holidays as a child.  Diana loves being creative, especially jewellery making and needle felting, and for the last 10 years has been involved in a social enterprise Scrapstore project, making all sorts of things out of waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.

Diane said: “I am thoroughly looking forward to the next stage of the ministry to which God has called me in Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area. It is an exciting time for the team, the church and the wider community and I’m looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us all.”

The service to welcome Diana took place in the context of the annual Feat Stone Throwing.