The Reverend Jo Dudley retires as Team Vicar of Lonan and Laxey on 25 August 2022, with her final Sunday on 14 August.
Jo describes how ‘The Church Times showed me my dream advert “Do you feel called to work abroad without leaving the British Isles”. I came, I saw, I fell in love.’ She was appointed to Lonan and Laxey in September 2011, and told her Essex friends that she had ‘found Heaven on earth.’ During her time, she has overseen the reordering of Laxey Church, the amalgamation of the parishes with Onchan and valued ‘the wonderful community spirit of the villages’ which has brought everyone together ‘in fun and fellowship whilst growing the Kingdom.’
The annual TT has been a highlight, since she loved befriending the bikers. Jo has also enjoyed taking part in the Tynwald Ceremony, which reminded her of the Passing Out Parades she used to see her students undertake from the National Police Training Centre. Jo served in the police for thirty years, which made her a natural choice to serve as chaplain to the Isle of Man Constabulary.
Jo will be retiring to Ramsey where she will continue her interest in music. She first played the organ for a church service on the day Sir Winston Churchill died and achieved the Archbishops’ Certificate in church music, whilst still serving in the police. She hopes to become more proficient playing her euphonium in the Ramsey Tooters and will carry on running the Laxey Handbell Ringers.
Bishop Peter gives thanks to God for the work of The Reverend Jo Dudley at Lonan and Laxey, and asks that we hold Jo in prayer as she prepares to conclude her stipendiary ministry.
