Norfolk, with its vast open landscapes, rich agricultural heritage and close-knit rural communities, presents a unique tapestry of beauty, resilience and challenge. Within this setting, Rural Chaplaincy in Norfolk plays a vital role, offering a compassionate and consistent presence to those who live and work across the county’s farmland, villages and market towns.
Rural chaplaincy in Norfolk is about being there — offering a listening ear, pastoral support and spiritual care to individuals who may face isolation, economic hardship or emotional strain.
Whether it’s a farmer dealing with uncertainty around harvest, a family facing loss or a villager living alone in an isolated area, the chaplaincy meets people where they are, with no judgment and no agenda.
Rural chaplains in Norfolk work across denominations and often in partnership with organisations such as YANA, the Farming Community Network (FCN), local churches and agricultural societies.
Their role includes:
Visiting farms, markets and rural homes.
Offering confidential, non-judgmental support — spiritual or otherwise.
Being present at livestock markets, county shows and agricultural events.
Supporting those affected by stress, bereavement or mental health challenges.
Working alongside local services and signposting practical help when needed.
The chaplain is often the bridge between faith and farming, between isolated individuals and the broader community of care and support.
The first Norfolk Rural Chaplain is Tim Weatherstone, appointed at the 2025 Royal Norfolk Show.
Tim’s appointment, generously funded by charitable donations channelled through and managed by the RNAA, is for a 2-3 year period during which Tim will grow the work whilst putting the chaplaincy on a firm footing.
Tim has been a Vicar in a rural Norfolk area for over 14 years.
Tim has also worked for Norwich Union/AVIVA in IT and his first job was in a rural business in flour milling and animal feed testing.
Tim needs little excuse to visit farms and farming related businesses,
so do invite him to come to your part of Norfolk.
One of the greatest gifts rural chaplains bring is time — the time to listen, to pray if asked, to share in silence or to simply be alongside people. Their ministry is about presence more than preaching and often takes place not in churches but in muddy yards, kitchen tables, market cafés and village halls.
The Norfolk Rural Chaplaincy is not just a service — it’s a lifeline. In a world where rural voices can feel drowned out by urban concerns, chaplains affirm the dignity, worth, and spiritual needs of countryside communities. They stand as a reminder that no one is forgotten, and that faith can be found not only in church buildings, but also in the everyday struggles and joys of rural life.
If you would like support, we’re here to help:
You can get in touch via email at norfolkruralchaplain@rnaa.org.uk or by reaching out to one of our partners.
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