New priest appointed

EVEREND Canon Stuart Bain has officially been appointed as the new priest-in-charge at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Challoch.

At a packed Diocesan Licensing Service last Thursday, Stuart was officially appointed by The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Bundock, to succeed The Reverend Canon Dawn Matthew, who left All Saints’ in February.

Reverend Stuart and his wife moved to the Machars in 2021, following his retirement after serving for 41 years in the Church of England in the Diocese of Durham.

Thereafter they joined the congregation at All Saints, discovering a ‘deeply caring and friendly community where we felt very much at home’. Stuart said: “My wife became the church’s organist and I supported the ministry there as a retired priest. In February this year, we moved into a vacancy when our priest, The Reverend Dawn Matthew, moved on.

“So, what did the future hold? In my experience, God always has plans. The nudge came. I had conversations with the Bishop and the local church, and here I am: priest-in-charge of All Saints’, Challoch.

“It is a great honour to be able to serve the All Saints’ community. I think the role over the next few years is clear: to support our church, to continue to grow and develop together, and be a church for everyone. So, in life - never say never!”