st-james-devizes.org.uk

It was announced in church this Trinity Sunday that Chris is leaving St James’ in the summer to take up a new appointment in September as Team Rector of the Canford Magna Team in Dorset. Commenting on the move, Chris said “We have grown to love St James’ and Devizes so much over the past nine years, but the call to ministry is dynamic, and God is calling us on to something new. The post in Canford will be a big challenge but I feel the experience I’ve gained at Southbroom has equipped me well. 

We have a great ministry team here at St James’ but they will need your support and prayers during the interregnum. Thank you all for the love and support you have shown Sandra and I and the children, over what is nearly a decade. Please pray by the grace of God and by the leading of the Holy Spirit that we settle well in our new home in Dorset and that our ministry is blessed.”

 

Chris’ appointment is subject to the usual CRB checks. It is expected his last service will be a special 10.30 am Communion Service on Sunday 6 September and that he will be licensed at the end of September in Canford Magna Parish Church by the new Bishop of Sherborne, Graham Kings.

 

During the interregnum the Churchwardens take over responsibility for running the parish.

We are sad to see Chris, Sandra & their lovely family go & recognise St James' loss is Canford Magna's gain. Chris will be remembered especially for leading us through a time of great change and upheaval with amazing blessings in the form of a re-ordered church building, facilitating the building of a Church and community building in Kajo Keji, Sudan and the appointment of Becky Sedgwick as Children & Family Worker for the area. Chris will be leaving us well equipped to move on into the next chapter, with a strong team & our eyes firmly set on the vision God has for us to witness to here in Devizes. 

Under the leadership of Chris we have seen our church grow from strength to strength.  We will miss him and his family greatly as they have been a joy and inspiration to us.  However, we recognise that when the calling comes it must be answered and we wish him and his family every blessing in their new life and our love goes with them.