Interregnum

Revd. Canon Dennis Handley, vicar of Holy Trinity and St Mary, Berwick-upon-Tweed since 2014, retired on 1 August 2023.   A video of his last service can be viewed on our YouTube channel.   We wish him and his wife Catherine every happiness as Dennis moves into retirement.

During the interregnum, responsibility for the church rests with the Churchwardens under the guidance of the Area Dean, Revd. Canon Dr. Sarah Hills, vicar of Holy Island.  

The Bishops’ office in Newcastle initially set a timetable for the recruitment of a new vicar, culminating in interviews in June 2024.   (The new vicar will of course need to give notice and the formalities of appointment will also take some time.)   The PCC have nominated David Mason and Ian Guthrie as their representatives on the selection panel.

To prepare for the recruitment, the PCC have produced a brochure outlining the characteristics of the parish, the future priorities and the key qualities sought in the new vicar.   In order to inform the production of this brochure, views of parishioners and other interested parties were sought via a questionnaire.   The PCC and churchwardens would like to thank all who submitted their views.

The PCC held an away-day on 7 October 2023 for prayer and reflection. The outcome of this, along with an analysis of the responses to the questionnaire, were presented to parishioners for their further input at meetings on 15 & 17 October.

These inputs were considered by the PCC at their meeting on 6 November and a draft of the Parish Brochure reviewed, and further drafts reviewed subsequently by email.

The final version was approved by the PCC at its meeting on 11 December and can be downloaded form the link below.

The next stage in the process is the preparation of a job description and person specification and this was discussed and agreed at a meeting with Bishop Mark, Bishop of Berwick, and the PCC held on Monday 26 February.

The role will  now be advertised via the church’s channels and the Church Times.

A review of applications conducted by the selection committee on 22 April concluded that there were not the applications from the wider field of candidates expected, and the position will therefore be re-advertised and new dates set for interview.

Please pray that the Lord will call the right person to apply for this role and for discernment for the interview panel as they make the selection on behalf of the parish.