CLERGY MOVES AND NOTICES – January 2025
The following have been announced since November 2024:
APPOINTMENTS
ASHCROFT Mark David: (Right Reverend) Formerly Bishop of Bolton in the Diocese of Manchester, to be Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Chester, with effect from 7 February 2025.
BULL Andrew David: Currently Vicar of the parish of Bredbury St Mark (1102), in the deanery of Chadkirk, now also Rural Dean of the Deanery of Chadkirk, with effect from 15 January 2025.
CARTER Heather Ruth: Currently Vicar of the benefice of Blackbird Leys in the Diocese of Oxford, to be Rector of the parishes of Astbury (1301) and Smallwood (1320), in the Deanery of Congleton, with effect from 17 March 2025.
CARTY Heather Suzanne: Currently Vicar of the Parishes of St John the Baptist, Guilden Sutton (0210) and St Peter, Plemstall (0215), in the Deanery of Chester, to be Chaplain and Spiritual Care Co-ordinator at St Lukes Hospice, Winsford, with effect from 7 February 2025.
GOWLER Simon Daniel Luke: Remaining as Vicar of the parish of Rainow with Saltersford and Forest (1515), and Rural Dean of the Deanery of Macclesfield, now also Interim Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Macclesfield St Paul (1510), in the Deanery of Macclesfield, with effect from 16 December 2024.
JONES Christopher James: Formerly Assistant Curate in the parish of Plas Newton (0218), in the Deanery of Chester, now Assistant Curate, to be known as Associate Minister, of the parish of Chester
St Oswald and St Thomas of Canterbury (0220), in the Deanery of Chester, with effect from 12 January 2025.
LEAL Clare Elizabeth: Formerly Priest-in-Charge of the parish of High Legh (1404), in the Deanery of Knutsford, now Vicar at the same parish, with effect from 13 January 2025.
RESIGNATIONS/LEAVERS
ASKWITH Joshua Christian: Currently Vicar of the Parish of Norbury Hazel Grove (1812), in the Deanery of Stockport, to be Canon Pastor of Elwy Mission Area in the Diocese of St Asaph, Church in Wales, with effect from 9 March 2025.
BURMESTER Stephen John: Currently Vicar of the Parish of Handforth (1207), in the Deanery of Cheadle, with effect from 31 May 2025.
CARTY Heather Suzanne: Currently Vicar of the Parishes of St John the Baptist, Guilden Sutton (0210) and St Peter, Plemstall (0215), in the Deanery of Chester, with effect from 27 February 2025.
LOACH Michael Graham: Currently Vicar of the Parish of Christ Church, Higher Bebington (0806), in the Deanery of Wirral North, with effect from 23 February 2025.
THOMAS Anina Jane: Currently Assistant Curate of the Parish of Chester Holy Trinity Without-the-Walls (Blacon) (0204), in the Deanery of Chester, with effect from 9 February 2025.
RETIREMENTS
BURGESS Edwin Michael: Currently Rector of the Parish of Oughtrington St Peter (1012) and Warburton (1018), in the Deanery of Bowdon, retiring with effect from 30 September 2025.
HALL Elaine Chegwin (Revd Canon): Currently Vicar of the Parish of Stockport St George (1811), in the Deanery of Stockport, and Rural Dean of Stockport, retiring with effect from 31 March 2025.
O’FLAHERTY Sheila Mary: Currently Vicar of the parish of Newton in Mottram with Flower Field (1613), in the Deanery of Mottram, retiring with effect from 1 October 2025.
YOUNGER Gillian Margaret: Formerly Curate-in-Charge of the Parish of Daresbury (0404), in the Deanery of Great Budworth, retired with effect from 10 January 2025.
DEATHS
We are sorry to have to report the death of the following members of clergy. Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.
ASHWORTH David (Revd Canon): Canon Ashworth was ordained in Manchester Diocese in 1965 as Deacon and in 1966 as Priest, serving his first curacy at St Thomas Halliwell, Manchester Diocese (1965 – 1969). He served a second curacy at St James Heywood, Manchester Diocese (1969 – 1972). After which he was Curate-in-Charge at St Margaret Heywood (conventional district), in Manchester Diocese (1972 – 1978). Canon Ashworth then became Vicar of St Peter Hale, in Chester Diocese (1978 – 1987), and then Vicar of St Peter Hale and Ashley, Chester Diocese (1987 – 1996). During this time, he was also Rural Dean of Bowdon, Chester Diocese (1987 – 1995). After this, he became Vicar of St Peter Prestbury, Chester Diocese (1996 – 2005), as well as Rural Dean of Macclesfield, Chester Diocese (1998 – 2003). Additionally, he was made an Honorary Canon of Chester Cathedral from 1994 – 2005. Upon retirement in 2005, he continued to serve Chester Diocese with Permission to Officiate from 2005 – 2019. Died 29 November 2024
BROWN Philip Anthony: Revd Brown was ordained in Chester Diocese in 1991 as Deacon and 1992 as priest, serving his curacy at St Peter, Rock Ferry in Chester Diocese from 1991 – 1995. His first incumbency was as Vicar of St Barnabas, Hattersley, in Chester Diocese (1995 – 1998). He then served as Vicar of St George, Harold Hill, Chelmsford Diocese (1998 – 2009), before moving to Canterbury Diocese to become Assistant Director of Ordinands from 2009 – 2020. During this time, he also became Priest-in-Charge of St Mary, Chartham, Canterbury Diocese (2009 – 2014) and also Priest-in-Charge of The Stone Street Group, Canterbury Diocese (2011 – 2014). Following this, he then became Vicar of St Mary, Chartham and Upper Hardres with Stelling, Canterbury Diocese (2014 -2020), whilst continuing as Assistant Director of Ordinands. On retirement in 2020, he had Permission to Officiate in Canterbury Diocese until 2023. Died 13 November 2024.
FLORY John Richard: Revd Flory served in Bristol Diocese for all his Licensed Parish ministry, having been ordained Deacon in 1971 and Priest in 1972. After retirement he held PTO in Derby Diocese from 2001, and later lived within Chester Diocese. Died 21 December 2024.
JENNER Peter John (Revd Dr): Revd Dr Jenner was ordained in Carlisle Diocese in 1985 as Deacon and 1986 as Priest, serving his curacy at St John the Baptist, Upperby, Carlisle Diocese from 1985 – 1988. He then became Chaplain at Reading University, Oxford Diocese (1988 – 1996). He took his first incumbency becoming Priest-in-Charge of St Thomas, Mellor, then Derby Diocese, (1996 – 1999) becoming Vicar there from 1999 – 2006. In 2006 St Thomas, Mellor changed from being in Derby Diocese to Chester Diocese. Peter continued as Vicar of St Thomas, Mellor, Chester Diocese (2006 – 2012). During this time, he was also Rural Dean of Chadkirk, Chester Diocese (2008 – 2011). He became a Residentiary Canon of Chester Cathedral, Chester Diocese (2012 – 2015) and was also a Chaplin of Chester University from 2012 until his retirement in 2022. Died 1 November 2024.
PARSONS Geoffrey Fairbanks: Revd Parsons was ordained in Chester Diocese in 1961 as Deacon and 1962 as Priest, serving his first curacy at St Chad, Over, Chester Diocese (1961 – 1964). His second curacy was served at the Church of the Good Sheperd and St Peter’s church, Heswall, Chester Diocese (1964 – 1969). His First incumbency was as Vicar of St Stephen, Congleton, Chester Diocese (1969 – 1975), at which point he then moved to St Mary the Virgin, Weaverham, Chester Diocese, to serve as Vicar there from 1975 – 1994. Revd Parsons then became Priest-in-Charge at St Oswald, Backford and Capenhurst, Chester Diocese (1994 – 2000), before being appointed Rector there from 2000 – 2001, when he retired. His ministry continued with Permission to Officiate in Chester Diocese from 2002 until 2023. Died 8 December 2024