The Monaghans are coming

We have a real passion for encouraging new ministry and leadership at the Abbey, so it is great to announce that John Monaghan is joining us in June 2013 as a full-time curate for the next three to four years. Some of you will have met John and the family as they joined us at the Abbey for worship at the end of August, albeit slightly undercover; but here is a brief intro from John and Alice:

John is from Dublin where he grew up and trained as a sports physio.  His father is an evangelical, charismatic Catholic who co-ordinates the Alpha course in Ireland, and his mother is a Pentecostal minister and clinical psychologist – so he’s enjoyed a wonderfully ecumenical upbringing!  John’s middle name is Emanuel – ‘God with us’, and he remembers making his first personal commitment to follow Christ at the age of seven, when he really wanted, (and then experienced) the assurance of God with him.  From the age of sixteen, he became more involved in his mother’s church – an Assemblies of God, Pentecostal church in Dublin.  His faith continued to grow as he stepped out in service (as it often does!) as a youth leader and worship leader in that church.

John met Alice in 2001 at a Christian conference in Ireland where John was leading the worship.  Alice’s parents are also Christians, and her commitment to Christ really came alive in a new way through an Alpha course her friend invited her to while she was studying architecture at Edinburgh University.  John subsequently moved to the UK, where Alice had just started training for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.  They got married in 2003.  Alice served her curacy at St James Church, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, under Paul Williams (currently bishop of Kensington).  Having been a clergy spouse for several years, John decided to return the favour (as well of course feeling deeply called in that direction!) and trained for ordained ministry at Trinity College, Bristol.

John and Alice have three adorable(ish) children – Philip (6), Toby (4) and Clara (2).  Alice currently works part-time as Assistant Vicar of Christ Church, Clifton, and when they are not doing churchy things they love having friends over for supper, family picnics and walks in the countryside, jumping on their trampoline (with the kids of course), running and mountain biking (okay – only John likes doing that!).  The Monaghan’s (silent ‘g’ by the way!) are really excited about being part of the community at Malmesbury from June 2013, and would value your prayers as our time in Bristol draws to a happy conclusion over the next year, and as we prepare to move next June.