A former Regular Army Chaplain has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge to a collection of parishes in the Wellington area. Revd Andy Barton, who started locally in September, will be speaking at this year’s annual Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying Ceremony in Wellington Park, at 3:15pm on Sunday 10th November 2024.

Revd Andy is continuing as a Chaplain in the Army Reserves whilst his focus now becomes the parishes of Ashbrittle, Bathealton, Kittisford, Rockwell Green, Sampford Arundel, Stawley and Thorne St. Margaret. These seven parishes, along with the church in Greenham, are gathered as the West Tone Benefice, the title given to groups of churches who work together.

Revd Andy shared that since his earliest days as a Christian he had an interest in people who are not connected to the church but who would like to be. From his first church in Devon andwhilst working as a Chaplain, first in a hospital, then a hospice during Covid and most recently in the British Army, his belief has been to go out and meet people where they are and not simply expect people to come to church.

Revd Andy says, “I am as human as the next person, on the same journey as everyone else, no more important, no more holy, no closer to God than you are. Together we are all gaining greater insight, healing and wholeness every day. My hope is that we can find relevant, helpful and enjoyable ways to do this together.”

At his recent licensing service led by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, The Right Reverend Michael Beasley, Andy was reminded that the role of a Parish Priest is to be a “servant and steward” who seeks to “feed and provide for all of God’s family, to guide them through the world’s confusions”.

Whilst serving as Priest-in-Charge of the West Tone Benefice Revd Andy will also care for the soldiers and officers in 6thRegiment Army Air Corps. Army Chaplains, or Padres as they are known, deliver pastoral care, spiritual support and moral guidance to all in the Armed Forces, irrespective of faith, world philosophy or status. As a deployable force theygo where their soldiers go, both on exercise and on operations.

Revd Andy has had a home locally since 2021 along with hiswife Sioned and their two dogs Meg and Lily, their grown-upchildren Tom and Hannah having flown the nest. He is keen to hear from anyone connected to Ashbrittle, Bathealton, Kittisford, Rockwell Green, Sampford Arundel, Stawley and Thorne St. Margaret. He can be followed on Instagram and Facebook at @padrebarton or emailed at [email protected]. Alternatively, he can be approached after the Service of Remembrance in Wellington Park on Sunday 10th November.