Welcome service tonight for new team rector

Ceremony will be attended by local ministers, dignitaries, church officers and congregation

NEWBURY'S new team rector, the Rev. Will Hunter Smart, will be inducted tonight (Thursday) at a special service.

The ceremony will be attended by local ministers, dignitaries, church officers and members of the four congregations for which he will be responsible: St Nicolas', Newbury; St Mary's, Speen; St George's, Wash Common and St John's, Newbury.

The induction service will be held at St Nicolas Church at 7.30pm.

Then, on Sunday, there will be a special welcome service at St Nicolas for Mr Hunter Smart and his wife Ellen at 10.30am.

Mr Hunter Smart replaces the Rev. Dr David Stone who left to become Canon Precentor at Coventry Cathedral.

For the last five years Mr Hunter Smart has been Associate Vicar at St James Church, in London's Muswell Hill.

St James is described a lively, growing church at the centre of Muswell Hill and Mr Hunter Smart was involved in helping the church engage more fully with its community through a number of outreach and community initiatives, something that he intends to continue in Newbury.

He said: “All the churches I've served in have been right at the heart of their communities. It's always exciting to be at the heart of things.

“I feel privileged to have been given this role within the life of St Nicolas and of the wider Newbury team. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity God has given me to serve the people of Newbury.”