In September, the Diocese of Bristol celebrated the licensing of two Curates as they step into new roles of leadership and service. These occasions mark meaningful transitions in their ministry journeys as they begin new chapters in different parish contexts.
The Revd Diane Simms was licenced as Assistant Curate of Holy Trinity Horfield. Revd Diane was licensed by the Revd Canon Dr Simon Taylor, the Diocese’s Director of Mission and Ministry, on 14 September 2025 at Holy Trinity Horfield during their morning Eucharist.
Diane (pictured middle) has lived in Fishponds since 1989 and began her career as a primary school teacher. Following a break to raise her children, she moved into a role in community learning with South Gloucestershire Council, running courses for parents to support their children's literacy. She then moved on to teach Functional Skills English and has long been passionate about seeing adults who left school with no qualifications achieve success. More recently, Diane has co-ordinated teams of volunteers to run holiday Bible clubs and school church visits. She has also mentored children through the Transforming Lives for Good 'Early Intervention’ programme.
Diane said:
“I'm grateful to Father David for inviting me to work and worship among the community of Holy Trinity Horfield. I'm excited to work with Holy Trinity's active Children and Youth Team and to engage in school chaplaincy for the first time. There are so many ways to tell the story of God's love - with curiosity, creativity and pastoral care - at Messy Church, Friday Youth Club and Open the Book, in school and in the parish. Equally I look forward to presiding and preaching, encountering the presence of Christ in Holy Trinity's deeply Eucharistic worship.”
Diane’s training incumbent, the Revd Canon Dr David McGladdery, said:
“It is a privilege to have Diane licensed to the ministry team here at Holy Trinity, Horfield. At Holy Trinity, we try hard to be a listening people – listening to God and one another – to discern with what God-given gifts we are being blessed. Diane comes with many priestly gifts, especially that of nurturing ministry to children, youth and families. Arriving at a time we have just re-established our children’s and youth work, Diane will be able to encourage and enable the work of our Children, Youth and Families pastors to develop and deliver their exciting programmes. We give thanks to God for the gifts Diane will bring and look forward to her presence among us.”
The Revd Regan Rory Meares was licenced as Assistant Curate of St Chad's, Patchway. Revd Regan was licensed by the Revd Canon Dr Simon Taylor on 10 September 2025 at the Bishop's Chapel in Winterborne.
Regan’s ministry journey began in Hanham, where he spent three years studying theology. Following this, he was licensed as a Lay Minister. After five years of lay ministry, he studied at Trinity College before being ordained. He did a three-year curacy at St Stephens in Soundwell, volunteering one day a week as a chaplain at HM Prison Bristol alongside this.
Regan said:
"We often face opposition and difficulties as we try to do what God has called us to do. In anything I try to do, whether it is in Prison, Church or in the Community, I try to remind myself of the words Jesus spoke to his Disciples in the Great Commission. ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ I take comfort that Jesus is always with us no matter what we are facing. I am excited about my upcoming placement and look forward to working alongside the brilliant team at St Chad's."
Regan’s training incumbent, David Brae, said:
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Reagan to St Chad's and Patchway. Our vision at St Chad's is to be a church where people can find the peace of Christ in the midst of the storms of life. We are excited to see Regan help us to fulfil the vision we have for the community.”
We give thanks for Diane and Regan and pray for their flourishing in the coming months as they begin to serve and share the love of God with their new parishes.