Announcement from the Rector

After 17 years, I am resigning the Benefice of Prestwood and Great Hampden. I have been thinking and praying about making this decision, and I believe the time is right—and that I should meet God’s challenge to serve the church in new ways.
It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as Rector here, and I can’t really imagine leaving simply to go somewhere else. In fact, I am going to take some time and space to discern what it is that God has in store in me. I love being a parish priest, so part of that process will be to challenge myself and see what I can do to support other churches and clergy.
I will remain as an Archdeacon’s Commissary, looking after the buildings and DAC side of the Archdeacon’s work, and continue as Sabbaticals Advisor for Bucks. I will also be training and developing skills in mentoring and coaching.
There is never an easy time to leave, but I believe both churches are moving towards an exciting future. They are growing in strength and faith, aware of challenging financial headwinds, and are well supported for a time of vacancy.
I believe that appointing a new Rector (in about a year), who will be entirely focussed on the needs of the benefice, is the best way for both churches to continue to grow and thrive in a changing world, building the Kingdom of God in this time and place.
Velvet and I are so grateful for the support that the whole community have offered to us and our family during our time here. It has been considerable and greatly appreciated. It makes it all the harder to leave.
My last service will be on Sunday, July 20, as we celebrate St Mary Magdalene together in Great Hampden. Mary Magdalene knew all the rich emotions of a life following Christ, its sorrows and its joys. There have been plenty of both over the last 17 years, but it is with an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I look back on my time here, what we have achieved together, and the love and faith we have shared.