New Vicar Announcement

Thank you for your prayers and support throughout the process of recruiting our new Vicar. We have been very aware of God's guidance during this time.

We are delighted to announce that, following a unanimous decision by the interview panel on 22nd July, our new Vicar will be the Reverend Matt Beer. Subject to the normal legalities, Matt will become Vicar of St Mary's Cogges and St James' South Leigh.

We appreciate your patience and understanding over the last week or so. It was important to coordinate the announcement with both Matt's current church and our own church family. With Matt serving at the New Wine Festival, today was the earliest opportunity that we were allowed to tell everyone but we're sure you'll be as excited as we are about the news!

Matt, Emily, and Jacob Beer are delighted to join the Cogges and St James's family. Matt has been leader of Telford Minster in the West Midlands, which he and Emily planted in 2019. They have seen exponential growth through people coming to know Jesus. Matt has also helped to resource five deaneries in and around Telford. Emily is a research scientist working in medical diagnostics. Jacob who is two, loves music in particular playing the drums.

Matt is excited about dreaming big with the Cogges family about the future and to see the churches continue to grow and flourish. Matt is also expectant to see the Lord encounter us by the Holy Spirit and to release us into new areas of mission and ministry in Witney.

The Beer family plans to move to the Priory in November, with the aim of Matt beginning to lead our church from early December. This timeline is pending the necessary checks, and we will keep you informed of any major changes to this process. In the interim, Andy, Chris, and our Lay Ministry team will hold the fort between Simon's departure and Matt's start.

Please pray for Matt, Emily, and Jacob as they step into all God is calling them to here in Witney and South Leigh.

God bless you all,

Olivia, Richard, Suzanne and David
(Parish Reps on the interview panel)