Bishop Ridley’s longest serving vicar celebrates 10 years! 

On Sunday 18 January, Bishop Ridley Church celebrated their longest serving vicar, Rev Mark, who celebrate 10 year (and four days) at the church.

 
Mark was inducted at the church on Thursday 14th January 2016. Mark was raised in Germany in a Roman Catholic family and has one of the most fascinating life stories you’re likely to hear. After several years working in business in Germany and Ukraine, Mark and Helene moved to London in 2006. The plan was for Mark to continue his studies and then travel around South East Asia, but God had other plans. He began to sense a calling to ordained ministry.
 
Theologically, Mark leans towards the Catholic tradition within the Church of England. He first took up a role as a lay assistant at a London City church. As his sense of calling deepened, he began a two-year apprenticeship at All Souls Clubhouse. The Diocese of London then sent him to train for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford. In June 2012, he began his curacy at St Mary’s, Liss, in the Diocese of Portsmouth. You can read more about Mark here.
 
Reflecting on a decade of service at the church, members of the church community sent their views and messages to Mark. These were read during the service. A small selection of these are shared here:  
Great energy, enthusiasm, irrepressible, resolute in his faith and teaching
Mark is an inspirational vicar who has helped Bishop Ridley become the centre of the community
I'd certainly like him to stay on for another ten years!
He has brought us good coffee.
Approachable; Knowledgeable; Factual; Thought provoking; He has strong spiritual and political beliefs
Enthusiastic; Approachable; Committed; Good knowledge of different Faiths
He’s a brilliant vicar. Always has a smile, friendly to everyone, community minded, inclusive of those with special needs. We also thank God for his lovely family.
Rev. Mark is warm, welcoming and easy to approach. He has a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, supported, and genuinely welcome to Bishop Ridley.
Full of God’s love; and he shares it with others
 
There was so much love expressed to and for Helene and their family. They were all given small gifts as tokens of appreciation by all at Bishop Ridley Church.