Colin was Team Vicar at Tenbury from 1994 until 2002. The Bishop licensed him in December to work with Duncan the Team Rector. In January 1995 the Rector disappeared to New Zealand leaving Colin to welcome John Sheaf, the New Zealand priest exchanging with him. Colin served all the parishes, but had particular responsibility for Little Hereford, Greete, Whitton and Hope Bagot, and for furthering Christian education. This included Confirmation Preparation, planning and leading the annual children’s holiday club, and leading courses for adults using the diocesan programme Framework for Faith.
Colin trained for ordination with the Gloucester School for Ministry at Ludlow, and was ordained Deacon in 1989 and Priest in 1990, to serve as self supporting priest in the Ludlow parishes, especially Richards Castle. The Rector John Baulch died in 1993, and Colin became stipendiary curate. Although ordination came for Colin later in life, it had been in his mind for many years. He had been influenced by the Franciscans at school, and had Brother Bernard of the Society as his spiritual guide.
Colin had a lively sense of humour, an engaging laugh, the grace of humility and some scepticism towards the latest fads. He was a priest of the old school, sent to bring God to the people and the people to God. He focussed his ministry on teaching and preaching, pastoral care, and the careful administration of the sacraments, and he centred his life on worship and prayer; regular and frequent communion, meditation and spiritual reading, and saying daily Matins and Evensong. Matins each morning at Tenbury or Little Hereford, included intercession for the Church, the world, and for people in need. Colin had hoped to continue as Team Vicar until the compulsory retiring age of 70. Sadly, ill health meant he had to retire a few months earlier. But he would never retire from being a priest, even if he could not hold a post, and we know that Colin always held us in his prayers, and consecrated his life daily for the sake of God’s people.
Duncan Dormor