The Bishop of Portsmouth has appointed the Rev Chris Bradish as the new team rector to lead Church of England churches in Newport, Carisbrooke and Gatcombe. Chris is currently rector of Andover parish, which includes 4 churches in North Hampshire, but will head to the Isle of Wight with his wife Naomi and 3 children this summer, and is likely to be licensed on September 15. He will lead the staff team that includes the current team vicars, the Revs Emma Cooksey and Steve Sutcliffe, following in the footsteps of interim team rector Canon Sarah Chapman, who stepped down earlier this year. Chris trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon, served for a year on staff at Holy Trinity Brompton, and has since been involved in helping the church in Andover grow in discipleship, faith and mission across a range of worshipping styles and traditions. Upon being appointed in the role, Chris has said:
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to serve Newport, Carisbrooke and Gatcombe as Team Rector, and to join the team and others in progressing the church’s mission to the Isle of Wight. The churches at the heart of the island are poised for something new – you can feel it. As a family, we’re looking forward to making new friends, learning new things and being part of this new chapter in the church’s life. “We will be sad to leave Andover where we have made so many friends, but it’s a huge privilege to be called to the island. I’m looking forward to building on the prayers, hard work and service of so many parishioners, staff, volunteers and donors, who have transformed Newport Minster into a wonderful, bright space for worship of the living God. “It’s equally clear that all the churches have inspiring testimonies of God’s love at work through their long and rich histories. I’m looking forward to learning these stories as we look to the future in St John’s, Carisbrooke and Gatcombe.”
Chris was working as a solicitor in London when he felt called to ordained ministry. He trained in Oxford and was ordained as a deacon and then as a priest at Winchester Cathedral. He served his curacy in Alton and then spent a year on staff at Holy Trinity Brompton before moving to Andover. During Chris’s time in Andover, his work has included a major re-ordering of St Mary’s and a town-wide pastoral reorganisation. His wife Naomi is a social worker and currently works for the NHS, leading a mental health team, and will be looking for a similar role on the island. Their 3 children, Peter, aged 11, Juliette, 8 and Lydia, 6, will transfer to Island schools.
“St Mary’s is a big, civic church, where we have seen the Lord renew faith and transform lives in some extraordinary ways, “The church has grown as a gathered community, but its deeply committed to its sense of place alongside that. Thinking at a town-wide level, this has opened up some wonderful opportunities for the gospel. Andover doesn’t have some of the institutions that Newport has – certainly not a castle! – but I hope my experiences will be relevant. “A thriving ministry in the centre creates space to forge new links between churches and communities across the island where the prospect of mutual belonging and sharing gifts speaks to a generous God who is on the move. The long-hoped-for reordering of Newport Minster is a joyful story in itself and provides a fantastic platform for growth, with hospitality and prayer at its heart. We’re looking forward to discovering what a great place the island is for family life.”
The bishop, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, is expected to license Chris to his new role at 16:00 on 15th September in Newport Minster.
Wow! Is that still a thing? Having an invisible friend? I thought most churches had already been sold off and turned into houses or flats.
May the decline in Church attendance continue.
At apace, God willing. Sic.
You are all going to hell in a handcart. However, there is still time to repent your sins and welcome Jesus into your lives. You are gambling with eternity.
If Jesus isn’t your thing, other fictional characters are available.
I do not understand how intelligent logical people can still believe in this money making control mechanism.
You will soon be dead and eternity is a very long time. Think about it.
I have a genuine Question Gary Cooper. When Jesus was born it was already known that he was the son of God. The event was marked and fixed throughout history. We celebrate his birth, 25th December every year regardless of what day it falls. Upon his demise and crucifixion and even more spectacular resurrection, which was truly the work of a great and wondrous God, how come nobody recorded the date? Why is it always, “I dunno sone time end of march, maybe April. I think it was at the weekend though”
Tell me Gary Cooper.
Err because many different calendars were in use at the time. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is a mathematical approximation of the first astronomical full moon on or after 21 March. We know this was the date of the resurrection because the apostles give indications of the date based on the lunar calendar used in the area at the time. It is generally agreed that Jesus was probably crucified on April 3, AD 33.
So why do we always do Christmas on whatever day the 25th falls but not celebrate Easter on say April 3rd (or 6th for resurrection)?
Then sometimes Easter may fall on a wednesday or Tuesday or whatever. I know it’d play havoc with the shops and stuff but maybe it’s a priorities thing. Business first, religion second?
You can refer to many different sources to understand why these dates were selected and why Easter is a moveable feast. But you don’t seem to understand the context. Jesus was born in a country occupied by the Roman Empire, there was no fixed calendar, no one was recording births and deaths, etc.
So if there was no fixed date recorded. Why is Christmas fixed and Easter flexible? You can’t use the same excuse for both events.
Christmas is celebrated four days after the winter solstice, which is a fixed day (give or take a day). Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which changes from year to year. Pretty simple.