On Sunday 5 October 2025, the Reverend Sue Gent was licensed as Parish Priest in the benefice of Yate. Sue was licensed by the Venerable Christopher Bryan, Archdeacon of Malmesbury, at St Mary’s Church, Yate, during a service of Holy Communion.
Revd Sue began her career as a solicitor in London before becoming a chaplain to London law firms. During this time, she also served as Priest in Charge of St Martin Ludgate in London. Following this, Sue spent eight years on the teaching faculty of Trinity College Bristol where she taught pastoral theology and reshaped contextual training. Most recently, Sue has served as the Diocesan Director of Ordinands. In this role she supported candidates across the Diocese of Bristol offering for ordained or licensed lay ministry.
Looking forward to her role, Sue said:
“I am delighted to come to the Parish of Yate and value the links with Sodbury Vale where Shane and I have been worshipping since 2021. In my time in Bristol, God hasn’t wasted my experience as priest in charge of a guild church while establishing a pioneer chaplaincy in the City of London, my training in counselling and spiritual direction or even my time as a solicitor. I look forward to seeing how God will use us all in this next phase in the life of the Parish.”
Christopher Bryan, Archdeacon of Malmesbury, said:
“It is a great joy to license Sue as Parish Priest in Yate. Sue will support the parish as we seek to recruit a Team Rector and a Team Vicar. Her focus will be on equipping the Ministry Team, lay leaders and congregation to sustain the mission and ministry of the churches. Sue will lead the PCC in discerning vision, implementing strategy and embedding good governance.”
We give thanks for Sue and pray for her flourishing in the coming months as she serves and shares the love of God in Yate and the surrounding villages of Westerleigh and Wapley.