Appointment of New Rector
At the end
of
Sung Eucharist on Sunday 22 January, the Parish Nominators (Stephen
Blake-Knox, Donald Davison, Ken Dunn and Anne Twaddell) made the
following
announcement to the congregation.
"For several months, we have been engaged in the search for a new Rector. While we are bound by strict confidentiality from going into any details of the search process, we can tell you that it has been longer and more complex than we had anticipated or would have liked. We want to thank you, our fellow parishioners, for your patience and understanding during this period. We also wish to acknowledge the support and encouragement that we have received throughout from our Bishop, and we are particularly grateful to him for his help in recent weeks, when we have been working closely with him to complete our task.
This morning, we are happy to be able to tell you that our task is
indeed complete,
and that the Very Reverend Robert Jones has been offered, and
has accepted, the Incumbency of Malone. Robert Jones is currently Rector
of the Parishes of Trim and Athboy in the
Diocese of Meath and Kildare, and he
is Dean of Clonmacnoise, that is Dean of the Cathedral at Trim.
He is also Warden of the Diocesan Guild of Lay Readers and Diocesan
Liturgical Officer. Robert is originally from County Carlow and trained
for the
As nominators, we have all attended worship
in the
Cathedral at Trim
and have
been much impressed by Dean Jones' preaching and conduct of the
Eucharist. We look
forward very much to his Institution to this parish, which is likely to
be shortly after
Easter.
Robert Jones is married to Alison,
who is from County Antrim
and
is a very active worker for the Church.
She is currently Diocesan Youth Officer for Meath and Kildare and Editor
of the
Diocesan Magazine. The family are all looking forward very much to
coming to St
John's, and we know that you will give them the warmest of welcomes.