Appointment announcement

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Bishop Stephen has chosen our vicar, The Revd Canon Simon Talbott, whose ministry is based in St Mary's in Great Shelford, to be his Senior Chaplain following the appointment of Dr Hannah Cleugh as Vicar of Monkseaton St Peter in the Diocese of Newcastle. Simon's last Sunday at St Mary's will be 2 January, and he and Mary will move later in the month. They will live in Chippenham just south of Soham and within easy reach of the Bishop's Office in Ely. Simon will take up his new responsibilities in January.
 
Simon says 'Bishop Stephen's approach came as a complete surprise and after much thought and prayer we felt that this invitation was one that I had to accept. We have so much enjoyed just over eight years here at Gt Shelford and we will certainly miss the many friends and contacts we have made. It has been a joy to have had such excellent colleagues in lay and ordained roles, especially during the last eighteen months during the Covid pandemic. Being involved in several community projects, not least Playscape, the Feast, Parish Council and Parochial Charities has been a great privilege. 
 
I am so pleased that my colleague Julie Norris was recently licensed as Associate Priest in the parish and so I know that the forthcoming vacancy will be in good hands with her support.' 
 
Bishop Stephen says, 'I am delighted that Simon has accepted my invitation to work with me as Senior Chaplain and manager of my office at Bishop’s House. He brings a wealth of experience as a parish priest in three dioceses and as a rural dean in two of them. He knows his way around the national church as a member of the General Synod and has been supporting the well being of clergy as Chair of the Houses Committee. I welcome his support of my ministry in the service of the diocese.'
 
Simon asks for our prayers as he prepares to take up this important role.

Our own parish priest, Simon Taylor - confusing, having all these Simons - stays in post in Stapleford.