St Michael's Church, Alnwick

I am so excited to be joining you as your new Vicar in May. It’s been a long wait but finally the time has come to make preparations for leaving East Sussex to join you up in Alnwick. I have thoroughly enjoyed my nine years of ministry in the Diocese of Chichester, but have felt for some time now that God is calling me to something new. After leaving Cuddesdon Theological College in 2014, I served my curacy in Uckfield before moving to Heathfield in 2017 to take up my first incumbency. Heathfield is a small market town, roughly equidistant between Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells, in the beautiful Wealden countryside. Until last year, we were two parishes with three church buildings, but in 2022 we united to become a single parish with a shared vision for mission across the town and local villages. I had the privilege of having a training a curate which I thoroughly enjoyed and was an ex-officio governor of the local Church of England Primary School. I am thrilled to be coming to a parish with such strong ties to its local Church School, and am really looking forward to getting stuck in and becoming a familiar face in the school.

Before ordination I studied at Agricultural College where I met my wife, Vicky. Soon after graduating, I moved up to Liverpool to take up the role of Assistant Operations Manager at Aintree Racecourse, before moving to Newmarket Racecourse as Operations Manager. During this time I oversaw various construction projects at a number of Racecourses across the country, and in 2008 I moved to Lingfield Park Racecourse in Surrey where I managed a major redevelopment of the racecourse. My last job before heading off to Theological College was to project manage the delivery of catering for two of the venues for London 2012!

I have been married to Vicky for 25 years in October, and we have two boys, Hugh and Charlie. Vicky is a Land Agent specialising in Estate Management which she loves. Hugh is reading Music at the University of York and Charlie is in the middle of taking his GCSEs this summer. Vicky and Charlie will be joining me in Alnwick once his exams are over. We have a small, rather scruffy and very loud dog called Pepper. Visitors to the Vicarage will definitely hear her before they see her!

Originally from the Isle of Wight, I love walking in the countryside and being near the sea, both of which I find essential for staying sane and staying closer to God. I am really looking forward to exploring the beautiful Northumbrian hills and coastline and I am hoping to start running again! We are a family of avid Formula One fans, though we don’t all support the same team which makes the races lively events in our house!

I am so grateful to the team at St Michael’s for making me so welcome and for being so patient in waiting for me to join you all. Huge thanks to all who have carried the extra burdens throughout the vacancy, and especially to the team of clergy who have helped to ‘keep the show on road’.

I can’t wait to meet you all!

Every blessing,

Mitch

We are looking forward to welcoming our new Vicar, Revd. Mitch, to St Michael’s Church in May. Mitch will be welcomed to the parish in a special service led by Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley on Saturday, 13th May at 4.00pm.

St. Michael’s Vicarage, Alnwick
February 2022

Sunday 9th January 2022 seemed a very long way off when I announced my retirement in early October last year – but it seemed to arrive with great haste!

My last Sunday leading worship as Vicar of Alnwick was, indeed, a memorable one and both Jane and I were overwhelmed with the warmth and appreciation which was expressed by many folks on that day.

As Churchwardens, Pat and Anne spoke movingly about the last ten years pointing out, amongst other things, that in 2012 St Michael’s received a bachelor Vicar but were now saying farewell to a Grandpa!

The generosity of your farewell gift was quite astounding and I know we will put it to good use. Top of the list, at the moment, is a new shed and a small greenhouse.

Much has happened over the decade which we have shared together as it has been my privilege to minister in this place. Through good times and not so good times we have had a great deal of fun and, I am convinced, become a more welcoming, loving, and supportive community as, together, we have tried to ensure that “All are welcome in this place”. Equally, we have attempted to make our ministry more outward-looking not only to the community of Alnwick but also further afield – and for this ‘thanks be to God’.

As the time draws near for Jane and me to leave for pastures new and to learn a new way of being – how to be retired together – we give thanks for all that has been and wish you every blessing for all that lies ahead.

With our love and prayers,     Paul & Jane.