Our Vicar, Russell Dewhurst, has made an announcement this weekend:
Dear friends,
It is being announced this weekend that I will be leaving St Mary’s this April. My last Sunday as Vicar of St Mary’s Ewell will be Easter Day 2021. Elaine, William, and I will be moving to Sussex and I will begin doctoral study and research in the field of ecclesiastical law.
I am excited by the prospect of what I will be doing, but I will also be very sad to be leaving this fantastic parish. This is the place we moved to when we were just married, where my son has been born, and where I have lived and worshipped for over 11 happy years– longer than I have lived anywhere. I have stayed so long because I cannot imagine there can be many better parishes in the Church of England. Here I have found friends and colleagues who I am sure could not be bettered by any other church in their dedication. You are and will always remain an inspiration to me.
The Archdeacon of Dorking, Martin Breadmore, will begin working with you in the weeks ahead so the process of finding the next Vicar of Ewell can begin as soon as possible. I appreciate this may not seem like the best time for a change. However, my next step is one I have been considering for some time and feel it is what I am called to do, and there are various logistical reasons that mean I have to announce my move now. The past year has brought so many challenges, and I have been glad to face them with you. By April, we hope that life will be returning to normal, and I hope I will be leaving St Mary’s in a good position for the next chapter of its life.
Please keep us all in your prayers, as you will be in mine.
Russell
