Top Job for Birmingham Nun

A Sister from Birmingham who has spent the last seven years living with other Sisters of her community in Smethwick and working in the city’s prison has been elected Reverend Mother of her order.

The position is the top post in the Anglican Community of St Mary the Virgin which is based in Wantage, Oxfordshire. Their website can be found at www.csmv.co.uk

Sister Winsome CSMV was a solicitor before being called as a nun in 1993. She has worked and lived in London.

Her community has had a praying presence in Smethwick since 1992 and has built up strong relationships within the local community. The Sisters support local parishes and serve more widely within the diocese such as Sister Winsome’s membership of Birmingham Cathedral’s Chapter.

She said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to minister and live in the city of Birmingham.  I feel as if a part of my heart will always remain here.”

The ninth Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart said: “I was looking forward to working with this tremendous woman whose faith and dedication has had a huge impact on this city.”

“Her work in HMP Birmingham, Winson Green has been remarkable and I know she will be much missed there by inmates, staff and colleagues in the chaplaincy team.

“It should be no surprise to us that Sister Winsome has been elected by her order as Reverend Mother and we are sure she will lead the community from strength to strength. However she will be hugely missed here.”

Sister Winsome will be installed as Mother Superior on December 8th by the Bishop of Reading.