New Vicar of Walney Appointed!
It has been announced that the Revd Andy Batchelor as been appointed Vicar of
St. Mary’s, Walney.
Andy is currently Assistant Curate of Ulverston; he is married to Julie, who is a
Reader and they have two grown-up daughters, Abigal and Zoe.
The Batchelors will be moving into Walney Vicarage at the end of February and
Andy will be made Vicar of Walney at an special service at St Mary’s on Wednesday
13th March; the Bishop of Carlisle, the Right Reverend James Newcome, will be
officiaƟng.
As we congratulate Andy on his appointment, we - the South Barrow Team - assure
him, Julie and their family of our prayers and best wishes as they prepare to leave
Ulverston and prepare for a new chapter in their life and ministry in Barrow
Deanery.
Pray too for St Mary’s as it embarks on a new chapter in its mission and ministry,
following the departure of their last Vicar, the Revd. John Hodgkinson, who is now
Team Vicar in the North Barrow Team.
The Revd. Michael John, former Chaplain of Furness General Hospital, whose
oversight of the Interregnum at Walney has been much appreciated, reƟred at the
end of January - he and his wife Sylvia will conƟnue to live in Barrow, and we wish
them a happy and fulfilling reƟrement.
Church Chuckle supplied by Frank Thomas
The preacher's five-year-old daughter noƟced that her father always paused
and bowed his head for a moment before starƟng his sermon.
One day, she asked him why. "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his
daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me
preach a good sermon." "How come He doesn't answer it?" she asked.