A CITY vicar at two Worcester churches is retiring at the end of this month after 10 years in the role.

Rev Jo Musson, 63, of St John Baptist Church in Claines and Saint George's Church in Barbourne called it a difficult decision.

She said: "It has not been an easy decision to make to leave places where you have got to know so many people.

"In this job, you become part of people's lives by marrying them, watching their children grow and also helping families when their loved ones pass away.

"My congregation have been so supportive, some have been upset as well but largely I have been receiving a lot of messages from people saying 'you deserve it' which has been very sweet."

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Rev Musson's future plans involve spending more time with her family and also travelling in her campervan with her husband Adrian.

She said: "I want to spend more time being a nana to five wonderful grandchildren, I want to spend more time being a mother and I also want to spend more time being a wife to my partner Adrian.

"I have found myself saying no to my family for many years due to how busy the job can be, so it will be nice to start saying yes more and spending some quality time with everyone."

Rev Musson, who lives in Claines, found it difficult to choose some of her favourite moments over the years but highlighted some events, work within the church and a wing walk as some of her best.

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She said: "Enabling children in the congregation to be able to take their first holy communion has been very special.

"Events such as the Queen's Jubilee, the Worcester Show and bringing the two churches together as well was really special

"The time we spent worshipping together through the pandemic and helping families with funerals as well is something I have always found so fulfilling.

"I also completed a wing walk in 2019 to raise money for toilets at Claines Church, which are actually being installed this week."

Rev Musson previously worked as a curate of an ecumenical partnership at “The Bridge” in Redditch, a bishop's advisor for the Children's Ministry in Birmingham Diocese from 2001 - 2007, and she also worked in IT for British Gas for 17 years.

Her last two services will be at 10.30am on Sunday, September 17 at Saint George's Church and 10.30am on Sunday, September 24 at Claines Church.