Further to the announcement dated Friday 16 May, we can now confirm that The Revd Stephen March will be licensed as Chaplain to The Anglican Church of St Mark’s, Versailles, with St Paul’s, Gif-sur-Yvette in the Diocese of Europe on Sunday 31 August 2025. Stephen’s final service in the Hexagon Benefice will be on Sunday 3 August 2025.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of The Revd Crystal McAllister, currently Ordained Pioneer Minister in the Framland Deanery, as Interim Oversight Minister in the Launde Deanery Minster Community. This 3-month role will begin on 1 July 2025.
With grateful thanks for their ministry and prayers of blessing for the future, we announce that The Revd Stephen March, Ordained Pioneer Minister in the Hexagon Benefice and Mrs Sharon March, Associate Minister and Lay Training Tutor in the diocese, will be moving to the Diocese of Europe.
It is with sadness that we announce the death of The Revd Canon Zolile Mbali, aged 84, on Tuesday 15 April 2025.
With grateful thanks for his ministry and prayers of blessing for the future, we announce that The Revd Canon Jonathan Dowman, currently Oversight Minister, Growing Faith Enabler and Co-Area Dean in the Launde Minister Community and Deanery - having previously been seconded from the role of Parish Transition & Ministry Development Enabler Pioneering - has been appointed as Rector of the Glaven Valley Benefice in the Diocese of Norwich. Jonathan’s final Sunday in the benefice will be 29 June 2025 with a final ministry day of 8 July 2025, before being licensed in the Diocese of Norwich on Monday 28 July 2025 at 7pm at St Nicholas, Blakeney. Arrangements are in place to enable the provision of interim oversight ministry for the Minster Community pending the appointment of a permanent new Oversight Minister.
With grateful thanks for his ministry and prayers of blessing for the future, we announce that The Revd Dr Rob Hay, Head of Learning and Ministry Development within the Parish Transition & Ministry Development Department, will be leaving his post as of the 30 April 2025. This post is being made redundant and follows a recent diocesan budget review which has necessitated a number of staffing reductions in different areas of diocesan operations and ministry over the past six months to reduce the current budget deficit. As of the 1 May 2025, Rob will be granted the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Leicester.
With grateful thanks for her ministry, prayers of blessing for the future but also with sadness, we announce that Kat Gibson’s employment as Intercultural Pioneer Minister, and accompanying Lay Ministry licence, will be ending with effect from 30 April 2025. This announcement follows the ending of national fixed term funding for this role at a time when alternative diocesan funding is not available due to the current budget deficit. Anyone affected by this announcement who would value support is welcome to contact Richard Worsfold, Archdeacon of Leicester (Richard.Worsfold@LeicesterCofE.org).
With grateful thanks for his ministry and prayers of blessing for the future, we announce that The Revd Ian Hill, Associate Minister in the Fosse Team, will be retiring from Sunday 15 June 2025. This date will mark Ian’s final Sunday in the Team.
With grateful thanks for his ministry and prayers of blessing for the future, we announce that The Revd Dr Andy Hartropp, Rector in the Benefice of Ibstock with Heather, will be retiring from Monday 30 June 2025. Andy’s final Sunday in the Benefice will be Sunday 29 June.
With grateful thanks for his ministry and prayers of blessing for the future, we announce that The Revd Andrew Micklethwaite, Associate Priest at Holy Apostles, will be retiring from Sunday 11 May 2025. This date will mark Andrew’s final Sunday in the Benefice.