THE new minister at Castle Community Church says she is ‘thrilled and excited’ to get started.

Kingsmead resident Alma Fritchley was ordained and inducted into the United Reformed Church at a ceremony on Saturday.

This follows over eight years of part time study for a BA in Contextual Theology at Luther King House Theological College at Manchester University.

And after finishing her studies, Alma will now join Rev Chris Pritchard and Rev Pat Billsborrow as part of the ministry team at Castle Community Church.

“As a newly ordained minister with the United Reformed Church, I am thrilled to be taking up this new role and looking forward very much to working alongside those at Castle Community Church and the wider community,” she said.

“This will be an exciting challenge with pastoral care being a major part of my ministry.

“I hope to draw on my skills and experiences as chaplain of a Methodist Home in Manchester to help those in need in Northwich.”

Alma’s previous work has seen her help to care for those with dementia as chaplain for Laurel Court Residential Methodist Home in Didsbury.

Rev Jacky Embrey, who led her ordination service, said that she was delighted to welcome her into the Church and was looking forward to see her transfer these skills to Castle.

She said: “I am sure that the gift of her ministry to Castle Community Church will be much appreciated and that she and Chris, the Methodist minister, will work well together.”

Northwich mayor Kevin Rimmer, who was also in attendance, added: “Alma’s ordination and induction to the United Reformed Church ministry was a very moving service attended by many from within our local community and from further afield.

“The skills that Alma brings with her from being the Chaplain of a residential home in Manchester will be much appreciated in our local community.

“On behalf of the residents of Northwich, I welcome Alma to her new role in Castle and wish her every success in her ministry.”