New Appointment: Director of Interim Ministry Training

Brittany Hurlbert • May 5, 2026

The Revd Helen Gheorghiu Gould as Director of Interim Ministry Training

Cranmer Hall and Ripon College Cuddesdon are delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Helen Gheorghiu Gould as Director of Interim Ministry Training. This is a new post funded by the Church of England’s Innovation Fund. For the first time, interim change ministers and transition ministers will be able to access nationally-funded training and support for their roles. The post is based at Cranmer Hall, St John’s College, Durham, and will offer training in both the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Church of England, in collaboration with Ripon College Cuddesdon.


Commenting on her appointment, Helen says:


“I am hugely excited to be appointed to this role and to work with two outstanding theological training institutions. I am passionate about Interim Ministry and about enabling others to have the training and support to thrive in these exciting and challenging roles. I would like to pay tribute to IM colleagues, for their faithfulness while their waited for this training; and to CofE senior staff for making this massively important commitment to funding training. It’s a real moment of opportunity to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the church. Jesus was a fantastic Interim Minister and I hope through this resourcing we can all become a more like him too!”


Revd Dr Nick Moore, Warden of Cranmer Hall, adds:


 “We are thrilled at Helen’s appointment, she brings a wide experience of interim ministry and a deep spirituality, and is perfectly placed to be an advocate, mentor, and guide for this mode of ministry which is set to become increasingly important for the church. It is wonderful, 10 years after the Church of England made interim ministry possible, to have the prospect of training and support offered nationally. It is exciting to see the national church working with our theological centres of excellence to deliver this.”


Revd Dr Harriet Harris MBE, Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon, comments:


“We are delighted that the Revd Helen Gheorghiu Gould is taking up this post to direct the training of people for Interim Ministry. Helen is ideally-placed to oversee how clergy are supported with the essential forms of awareness, holding of space, and responsiveness to challenge that transitional ministering requires. Cuddesdon is proud to be the southern partner with Cranmer in this enterprise, and we look forward to receiving and equipping clergy for the much-needed work of Interim Ministry.”




Helen will take up post in mid-May, subject to the completion of all requirements. Interim Ministry training will be delivered in person in Northern and Southern hubs, and online, with the first training beginning in autumn 2026.

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