20 May 2026

After nine years at Corrymeela, and seven years in his current role, our Leader the Rev. Dr. Alexander Wimberly will end his term on 31 July 2026. Alex is accepting a call from a congregation in the United States and will be returning to pastoral ministry — but we are delighted that he will remain connected with us as a proud member of our community.

Alex’s time at Corrymeela has been marked by his ability to hold the community together during the pandemic and to develop Corrymeela as a community of reconciliation open to all people. Led by Alex, Corrymeela has opened its membership to individuals from outside formal Christian traditions who commit to a community that pursues reconciliation by ‘seeking guidance from the teachings of Jesus, the wisdom of other traditions, and the lessons of our encounters.’

For most of Alex’s tenure as Leader, he worked in tandem with an Executive Director. With the departure of Corrymeela’s Executive Director in early 2024, the Leader’s role took on the CEO function. In this period, Alex worked as part of the Senior Management Team to ensure the charity’s work remained aligned with Corrymeela’s mission and operated sustainably. In 2025, Corrymeela adopted a new Strategic Plan, emphasising the growing need to Understand Each Other Better and Trust Each Other More. As Corrymeela implements this strategy, it finds itself well–equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing charitable sector.

Alex’s final year as Leader coincided with Corrymeela’s 60th anniversary. Along with several events open to the public, the highlight for many was a Reunion at the centre for former volunteers, staff and members in August 2025 — an occasion that has helped to re–establish connections that will no doubt benefit Corrymeela in the coming years. The culmination of the anniversary celebrations has been an exhibition at the Linen Hall Library, which recently began to house the Corrymeela archive. Corrymeela: An Unfinished Journey Towards Peace not only celebrates the 60–year history of the community but recognises the ongoing need for everyday peacebuilding that Corrymeela continues to carry out with partners and friends.

Roisín Marshall OBE, Chair of the Corrymeela Council, wrote to the community announcing Alex’s departure with the assurance that “plans include interim support and looking ahead to longer–term leadership, held carefully within our commitment to being the change we want to see.” She added that “there will be space to express gratitude, to reflect, and to celebrate the remarkable gift that Alex and his family have been to Corrymeela.”

In his own letter to the community, Alex expressed gratitude for everything he has received and learned from Corrymeela: “It continues to be an absolute joy to be Leader of this community, and I will be departing with genuine sadness.” He concluded: “The time has come for me to take Corrymeela with me back to the States and to let ‘Corrymeela begin’ again as I leave.”