The Parish of St. Nicholas Hardenhuish - The Church on the Hill

From the Bristol Diocese website:

The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, is delighted to announce that Revd Simon Dunn has been appointed as the next Priest-in-Charge of St Peter's Chippenham, with Lacock and Bowden Hill. Bishop Viv says: “I am delighted that Si has been called to serve St Peter's Chippenham, St Cyriac's Lacock and St Anne's Bowden Hill. Si is an experienced priest who is well respected in the Diocese having ministered in towns and villages across it. His familiarity with Chippenham will be a great strength as we develop a Mission Area here. Si's move means change for the Greenways Benefice, during which they will be supported by the Area Dean and Archdeacon. ”

Revd Si has served in the Diocese of Bristol since his ordination in 2008, most recently as Rector for the Greenways Benefice and Assistant Area Dean in the Chippenham Deanery. Si holds an MA in Missional Leadership and has experience in high street management, which enable him to lead communities in encouraging, supportive, and inclusive ways.

Si says: “As I follow God’s leading, I am excited to be taking on the role of Priest in Charge at St Peter’s Chippenham with Lacock and Bowden Hill. A fresh grouping of church communities offers fresh opportunities to connect with each other, as well as to reach out into the wider community and declare the name of Jesus and the good news of the Gospel and making connections. The planned Mission Area is an exciting time for the wider Church in Chippenham too. I look forward to offering my service alongside others, in the nurturing and releasing of disciples, and in the growing of wider and deeper community connections in the parishes God now places me in.”

As Priest-in-Charge, Si will engage with local schools and play an active role in Chippenham Mission Area serving alongside the local community that he has been part of over the last 12+ years.

Si says "I am following God's call to minister elsewhere. Ann and I have enjoyed 12+ years here and pray for your following the Holy Spirit guiding today, and tomorrow. We will continue to be around and available for you until early in 2024. We will not be able to answer all questions you may have, but please do feel free to ask them.

Our last Sunday in the Greenways Benefice will be Sunday 11 February 2024 (although we are away for the 2 weeks prior to this on a prebooked holiday from Sat 27th Jan to Sat 10th Feb inclusive.) I will plan for this service on the 11th to be a Benefice service including HC, held at SPC for 10am in the grid, with me preaching and someone else leading unless I am advised otherwise.

My licensing in new parish will be 7.30pm Thursday 22 February at St Peter’s Lordsmead with the Bishop of Swindon present. Open invite.

Si & Ann"

The Venerable Neil Warwick, currently Archdeacon of Bristol, is to be the next Bishop of Swindon, Downing Street has announced today.

Ven Neil has served as Archdeacon of Bristol, responsible for three populous deaneries across the vibrant and diverse city of Bristol, since 2019. He will take up his role as Bishop of Swindon in November 2023.

As part of the Bishop of Bristol’s leadership team, Neil played a key role in the discernment, shaping and now implementation of Bristol Diocese’s mission plan - Transforming Church Together.

Originally from Surrey, Neil read geography at Nottingham University and then worked in the transport industry and in overseas development with World Vision. Neil’s time with World Vision and visits to the communities they serve, had a profound impact on his life and faith. During this time, Neil completed an MBA at Eastern University, PA, which had a focus on community development and leadership.

It was on a trip to Zambia in 2000 that the Neil first sensed God's call to priesthood. After training at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, he was ordained in 2005 at Peterborough Cathedral. He served his curacy in the market town of Towcester.

In 2009 he became the Vicar of St Nicolas Earley, a busy suburban church. He also served as Assistant Area Dean for Reading for five years.

More recently, Neil was part of the Archbishop’s Racism Taskforce that produced From Lament to Action. Neil is passionate about fighting injustice.

Si’s New Mobile Number
Si now has a mobile contact number for the role of  vicar. It is 07564 001330.

Please remember …

Our churchyard is a lovely, peaceful place, despite its proximity to the road.
Many people come to tend the graves of those they have loved and lost, and spend a few moments remembering them.
Sadly, recent visitors have been distressed to find the area being inappropriately used by someone exercising a dog.
We welcome everyone to come and visit the churchyard, but please remember that for many it is the last resting place of someone they loved, and they regard it as a sacred space.
 

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) for 2023 - 2024 consists of  Derek and Suzanne Boulton (Treasurer & secretary), Mark Shipley and Judith Eckersley. . Rev Simon Dunn is Chairman.  Electoral roll officer is Mary Clarke.

To see the minutes please ask Suzanne.