And Finally...

A statement from Bishop Karen, read out in the Golden Cap churches on Sunday morning, let parishioners know that the Revd Chris Martin will be their new Team Rector.

Chris is at present the Vicar of the Churches4All Mission Community, a group of four rural parishes in East Devon within the Diocese of Exeter.

He has been appointed by the Bishop of Sherborne, on behalf of the Bishop of Salisbury, in conjunction with the Patrons of the 12 Dorset and Devon churches which make up the Benefice.

Archdeacon Penny thanked all those who have been involved in the appointment process for their care, prayer and discernment:

"We believe Chris to be the right fit for us here and in the deanery and we are looking forward to welcoming him, his wife Tina, and pet Labrador Welly, sometime in the New Year and to a licensing towards Lent."

Chris said:

"Tina and I are very much looking forward to moving to the Golden Cap Benefice, and not a little daunted. This is an unexpected change for us but we believe God has placed our feet on this path and are looking forward to finding out where it leads.

"Please do remember us in your prayers as we make this transition, for the parishes of the Golden Cap too, and those parishes we are leaving behind in East Devon."

The Golden Cap Benefice covers an area of 60 square miles of coast and countryside along the Jurassic Coast and the Marshwood Vale in the south west corner of Dorset and a piece of East Devon.

The Benefice also hopes to appoint a Team Vicar, once the new Team Rector has arrived.