Welcome to our new Vicar Rev’d Dr Andrew Butcher and new Senior Associate Priest Rev’d Kay Webster
Almost 180 people gathered in church and 170 watched online as we inducted our new Vicar, Rev’d Dr Andrew Butcher and commissioned our Senior Associate Priest, Rev’d Kay Webster, on Friday 23rd January 2026.
Over 50 people worked together to bring the service to fruition, some behind the scenes, some up the front, all for common cause. We couldn’t have done it without them, and all who supported and prayed.
We enjoyed a service of ceremony and celebration – and also informality and laughter; of great church music from across the ages; of diversity of people and of gifts; of prayers said aloud and prayers kept in our hearts; of the breadth of this great parish and the individuals within it; of continuity and of change; of honouring a proud history and inaugurating a new season; of photographs taken and memories made; of handing over and handing on; of Word heard and wisdom preached; of acclamations proclaimed and promises made; of symbols given and grace received; of warm welcomes and much aroha; of bells rung and songs sung.
Of those songs, here was one refrain. May it be our constant prayer.
Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Blessings,
Rev’d Andrew and Rev’d Kay
By Andrew Butcher