Appointment of new Priest in Charge of St Bede & St Thomas and St John Lostock

Praise God for His timing, on this Christmas day 2008, the Bishop of Manchester has announced this morning that the Rev Viv Ashworth is to be the new priest  in charge of St Bede's and St Thomas and St John Lostock.

‘The Ashworth Family’ from left to right, Viv, Tim, Lizzi and Lydia.

Viv, who until the end of November was team vicar in the ecumeniucal parish of Yate in Bristol, is married to Tim, who is also ordained. They have two grown up daughters - Lydia and Elizabeth.

Lancashire born, Viv is a former dance, maths and RE teacher; youth advisor in the Bradford Diocese and chaplain at Scargill House, a Christian Conference Centre in Kettlewell, near Skipton.

While at Yate, Viv has also been part time assistant chaplain at HMP and Youth Offenders Institution, Ashfield.

Arrangements for Viv and Tim's move to the Vicarage in Morris Green are being made.  No date has yet been fixed for the service of welcome and Licensing (or the venue), which is expected to be led by the Bishop of Manchester.

Again Praise God for His timing, we look forward to welcoming Viv and Tim to their new ministry with God's people here in Morris Green and Lostock.  Please pray for them as their new ministry, under God unfolds, and as we seek all seek to do the will of God, throuogh the guidance of His Holy Spirit and with the presence of Jesus our Saviour.

Viv will be sending us a brief family profile soon.