The Bishop of Hereford is delighted to announce the appointment of the Rev'd Sam Hustwayte as the next Archdeacon of Ludlow. Sam, who is presently vicar of St Wilfrid's, Calverton, Area Dean of Gedling and Chair of the House of Clergy in Southwell and Nottingham Diocese, will take up her post in early May. She brings with her a wealth of experience in parish ministry and a deep passion for rural communities.
Sam's journey to ordination began in an unexpected way. Growing up in Nottinghamshire in a regular church-going household, she explains her Christian faith began as a teenager through worship at her local Baptist Church. After studying at Birmingham Bible Institute, she went on a mission project to Brazil with her boyfriend Matt, who was to become her future husband. Upon returning to the UK, Sam found her way back to the Anglican Church, describing it as feeling "like home."
Sam and Matt moved from Nottinghamshire so she could take up a post as a Church and children’s worker in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. “This was where I first felt the call to ordination, but initially resisted it”, she explains, adding, “I loved my work with young people.” However, when a Church youth, children and family worker role at Coventry Cathedral arose, she found that she could no longer ignore God's persistent call. "I remember, I sat bolt upright in bed one morning with a very strong conviction that I had to become a vicar – the shock woke Matt up quicker than usual ", Sam recalls. "Going through the ordination process showed us once again that God can have very different plans from the ones we put in place."
Returning to Nottinghamshire for training and curacy, Sam faced an unexpected challenge when her vicar (training incumbent) announced his retirement just one year into her role. She explains, “I was well supported by colleagues in the diocesan team who helped me to lead the parish through the remainder of my training” an experience that shaped her understanding of ministry.
It was during this time that Sam discovered what she describes as "a non-negotiable" in ministry: "I realised, I needed to be able to see fields and to be able to go for a walk. The church was in a very urban setting, and I looked out on lots of houses and other buildings.” She goes on to describe her deep passion to care and provide for people in rural parish ministry which led her to her role in the village of Calverton and which she calls a “unique and special ministry”, because it is a privilege to get to know a community and to help create a shared space for people to come together, join in and discover the love of Jesus.
Speaking about her new role, Sam said: "What I'm really looking forward to as the next Archdeacon of Ludlow is supporting the many parishes of the northern archdeaconry to be a light for Jesus and helping them grow disciples. I feel very strongly about helping leaders share that passion and joy with their communities. I can't wait to get to know the people and the area."
The Rt Rev'd Richard Jackson, Bishop of Hereford, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Sam as the new Archdeacon of Ludlow. Her passion for the local church and commitment to clergy wellbeing were evident throughout the appointment process and are a mark of her ministry in Southwell and Nottingham diocese. She brings a warmth of personality and genuine love for people. The team and I look forward to working alongside her as she serves the people of the Ludlow archdeaconry.”
Sam will be collated [this is the official Church of England term for appointing someone] as the next Archdeacon of Ludlow in a special service which will take place at St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, on Sunday, 10 May. She will also be welcomed at an evensong service at Hereford Cathedral on Tuesday, 2nd June.
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Notes for Editors
About Sam Hustwayte
Sam is married to Matt, who works for CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society). The couple came back from a mission in Brazil with SAMS (now part of the Church Mission Society) engaged. They have been married for 28 years. They have three grown-up children: Will, 25, works for John Lewis; Amy, 22, finished her undergraduate degree and will start a masters in conservation in September; and Ollie, 19, is studying a biology degree at Warwick University.
Sam presently holds a number of roles including working as diocesan senior vocations advisor in Southwell and Nottingham where she helps people discovery the variety of ministry roles in the church. She is also Chair of Governors at her local Church of England Primary School.
In her spare time, Sam enjoys being creative, particularly sewing, knitting and cooking. She and Matt also love hosting friends and family.
About the role of Archdeacon of Ludlow
- The Archdeacon of Ludlow is one of two archdeacons in the Diocese of Hereford
- The role involves supporting clergy and parishes across the Ludlow archdeaconry