A former GP in Taunton has been appointed as the new curate for a group of rural Anglican churches.

St John's Peasedown, St Julian's Wellow, St James' Foxcote and St Julian's Shoscombe – known collectively at the St J's Group Benefice – welcomed Shaula Reilly to the team this week.

Shaula used to work as a GP near Taunton, before heading up to Durham for 2 years to train for ordination at Cranmer Hall, a theological college in the north east of England.

"I'm really looking forward to serving my curacy as part of the St J's Group", said Shaula, "It was wonderful to explore the North East but it is also great to be back in the South West again.

My faith has always been central to my life since I was a teenager. I thought that I would spend my whole adult working life as a doctor, which was a great privilege, so it came as a complete surprise to discover that God was calling me into ordained ministry. I'm really looking forward to being part of the churches in the St J's group, forming new friendships and learning from Revd Matthew Street and the team."

Before working in Taunton, Shaula worked as a doctor in Queensland, Australia for a year, as a VSO doctor in Mozambique for 2 years, as well as a medical student in the Philippines.

In the Church of England, a 'curate' is effectively a Vicar-in-Training. Shaula will work with and shadow Revd Matthew Street across all parishes for 3 years at which point she will be ready to be Vicar in her own right.

Revd Matthew Street, who this month celebrates 16 years as the Vicar in Peasedown St John and Wellow, said:

"I am really looking forward to working with Shaula over the coming three years of her curacy. The pandemic has challenged us to develop new and exciting ways of serving the community, and encouraged us even more to reach out to those in need.

I know that Shaula will play an important role in our Christian mission to love, care and pray for those we work with."

For details about the St J's Group, visit the benefice website: www.stjsgroup.church, or contact the Operations Manager Rob Bubyer by emailing [email protected] or calling 07973 972018.