The Chapel Royal has a new Priest In Charge - for more details see here
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I am able to announce that Bishop Martin has offered the position of Priest In Charge for an initial period of 3 years to Reverend Richard Merrick, which he accepted.
"Rich grew up in the Methodist and free church movement in the 1980's and worshiped in contemporary worship style churches before sensing a calling to more liturgical worship styles during his training and curacy."
He currently has one Roman Catholic mentor (Head of the Jesuits) and is seeking another work-based mentor in the liberal Catholic Anglican tradition.
Rich Merrick is married to Catherine and they have 3 children Jonah aged 14, Anouska aged 12 and Florence aged 9.
Rich has asked if I could pass onto you these words:
''I am so honoured to have been given the opportunity to join you all at the Chapel Royal Brighton. I have had a little taste of your loving community as I have joined you in worship over the last 6 months and this only firmed up my sense of calling.
I look forward to spending time with you all, to learn from you, to listen to your desires for the Chapel Royal and to discern together how best the Chapel Royal can serve the city and help its people experience the presence of Jesus”.
Due to the amount of work that needs to be done for the licensing mass and the availability of the Bishop, this could take a little while but anticipated that Rich will be in post sometime in November. Hilary and myself will advise you of any details as soon as we know.
I am very positive that everyone at the Chapel Royal will give him and his family a warm welcome and help them find their feet so Rich can adjust to the Chapel Royal worship
Hilary Niblett and David Bishop
Churchwardens at Chapel Royal Brighton
Dated 18th August 2024