^{We are please to announce we have appointed a new Vicar The Rev’d Stephen Martin who will be installed as Vicar on the 27th April 2025 at 6.30pm St Aidan’s Church Bamber Bridge} 

please see a letter from Rev’d Stephen Martin

 

Mandy, I and the girls are excited to be joining you at the end of April. I must thank everyone who was involved in the interview process for making it smooth and positive from the initial meeting, conversations and hospitality with the members of the parish, who met us on the day of the interview. I am excited that we share a vision for the future as we play our part in God’s mission in the world sharing the Good News with all, bringing transformation and building up God’s Kingdom in Bamber Bridge and Walton le dale.

 

When I was offered the post, we were only halfway home, I was amazed and excited, and the news is still sinking in! More importantly for me the answer was a resounding yes from Mandy and the girls. You may or may not know that I applied for this post twice, the first time I withdrew for various reasons but rued the decision, when the post appeared again, I knew this was God doing what God does best.

Once I am in post, I will get to know you all in person over a cuppa (milk, no sugar), but for now here’s a little bit about me. I was born in a small village on the outskirts of Durham. I am not from a church family other than identifying as     C of E and attending church for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals (there is a story behind this.) I began attending church with a friend aged 12 but wouldn’t have called myself a Christian at that stage and it wasn’t until I was confirmed at 13 my real Christian journey began, but I will leave my faith story to share with you later.

I first felt a call to ministry at 14 years old, but it wasn’t until 2014 when I was selected to train for Licensed Lay Ministry (Reader) and was licensed in 2017. During my training I explored ordination with my Bishop, but this wasn’t the right time. It wasn’t until 2019 I would be selected to train for ordination and was ordained deacon in 2021 by Bishop Paul Butler in Durham Cathedral. My curacy was in the parishes of Lanchester & Burnhope, Harelaw & Annfield Plain and as Chaplain to Willow Burn & St Cuthbert’s Hospices as well as Chaplain to County Durham & Darlington Fire Service and I have loved every minute of it. In August 2024 I was asked to return to my home parish of Belmont & Pittington to discern my next post.

 

Academia was never my strongest gift, and I trained with Lindisfarne College of Theology where I gained my Diploma in Theology, Mission & Ministry later completing the degree all the while working full time as a funeral director. If I look back over my working life, I have gained practical experience working in supermarkets, care homes, hospitals, prisons and for a short time I was licensee of three pubs.

I am married to Mandy and we recently celebrated our 10 year anniversary, we have three girls Gracie, Niamh & Erin and on top of that we have numerous rescue pets consisting of three hens, a guinea pig, rabbit, and two dogs. Although we never thought we would be moving from the Northeast we are really looking forward to putting down roots in Bamber Bridge.

 I will be praying for you over the next few months and ask for your prayers not only for us but for the parishes of Belmont & Pittington during their vacancy. I am grateful to the wardens, the ministry team and all who are working hard holding the parishes during this period of vacancy. As my appointment begins after Easter, I look forward to joining you to continue celebrating being an Easter people full of joy and hope as we live out our calling to Create Disciples & Transform lives in Jesus name.

 

Yours in Christ,

Revd. Stephen 

Safeguarding Officer

Len Weir

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Len Weir and can be contacted on Tel: 07583 759917 / Email:  [email protected]

Promoting a Safer Church

St Aidan’s and St Leonard’s have adopted the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, incorporating the House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance

A copy of this, and all the information below can be found here: cofe-policy-statement.pdf (churchofengland.org)

We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is in the entrance hall to Church along with relevant phone numbers and contact details.

All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training.

Reporting a concern

If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999

Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) in the first instance. 

Len Weir   Tel: 07583 759917 / Email:  [email protected]

The PSO can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as necessary.

Concerns can also be raised directly with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Safeguarding Team Contact Details

[email protected]

Tel: 01254 503088

Assistant DSA, Sophie Booth

[email protected] 07468971759

DSA, Catherine Smith,

[email protected] 07711485170

Safeguarding Trainer, Andrea Richards

[email protected] 07484073146

Safeguarding Administrator, Claudia Aspey

[email protected] 01254 503088

Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE

Safeguarding concerns in a school/university/prison/healthcare setting should be raised with the relevant organisation’s Safeguarding team.

Finding support

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the church directly. Below is a list of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

Thirty One: Eight: 0303 003 1111 (out of hours and weekend safeguarding advice)

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.

Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).

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