A sad goodbye, and a joyful hello.

Moving on is never easy. But when God calls us to a new place we must answer.

Today we have announced that I have been appointed Vicar of Bovey Tracey St John with Heathfield, & Team Vicar in the Newton Abbot Team Ministry with special responsibility for the parish of St Luke, Milber in the Diocese of Exeter (subject to the completion of all legal formalities).

The formal announcement, which was read out at all the parishes this morning, follows below.

Catherine, Edmund and I have shared the most amazing 4 and a bit years at St. Anselm. I was writing letters and covering masses from October 2019 and was put in officially in July 2020 in between lockdowns. 

It was a tough old time for everyone, but we pulled together and over the last 3 years in particular have seen a huge resurgence in St. Anselm. 

We have re-grown the congregation and worshiping community to over 100 people, we have sorted the finances, we have two new amazing church wardens and a keen PCC. We have a new Mission Priest and we have ‘unsuspended’ the parish – meaning a new Vicar will be with you after I leave.

St. Anslem is in a strong place and I know that my departure will open up new opportunities, ideas, and thinking. 

We now move to a new chapter with the lovely people of Devon. In the short time I’ve had to get to know people I have found a deep faith and a deep love of God and I pray that I’ll be able to follow the Holy Spirit and help people share that love and bring others to Jesus.

My last day at St. Anselm will be Easter Sunday and we hope to start in Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey shortly after. Moving… well, who knows!

Please pray for the amazing people of St. Anselm and for all of those involved in the move to the new parishes. Please also pray for Catherine, Edmund and I as we navigate the next few months.

ANNOUNCEMENT – For services on Sunday 7th January 2024

It is announced today that the Reverend Matthew Cashmore has been appointed Vicar of Bovey Tracey St John with Heathfield and Team Vicar in the Newton Abbot Team Ministry with special responsibility for the parish of St Luke, Milber in the Diocese of Exeter. Fr Matthew is presently Vicar of St Anselm, Hayes in the Diocese of London.

Before ordination, Fr Matthew worked for the BBC and later for publishing and bookselling businesses in the development of digital communications including digital broadcasting, podcasting production, and e-book publication. Having discerned a vocation to the priesthood, he earned a degree in theology from the University of Durham and prepared for ordination at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. His initial curacies were in Hereford and West London, and he has served the parish of St Anselm, Hayes in West London since 2019.

Subject to the completion of all legal formalities, the Bishop of Plymouth will institute Fr Matthew to the benefice of Bovey Tracey St John with Heathfield and license him as Team Vicar in the Newton Abbot Team Ministry on a date in early April to be confirmed, during a service in one of the parishes at which the Bishops of Plymouth and Oswestry will officiate.

Your prayers are asked for Fr Matthew, his wife Catherine, and their son Edmund as they prepare to move to Milber Vicarage in the spring; for the mission and ministry of St Anselm, Hayes and the people of that parish; and for Fr Matthew’s preparations for this new stage in his life and work as a priest.