People
PRIEST-IN-CHARGE: Jonathan Jasper Temporary telephone number 01763 847247
The Rectory, 135 High Street, Barkway, Royston, SG8 8ED
After having been vacant for over nine months, the post of Priest-in-Charge of the United Benefice of Barkway, Reed and Buckland with Barley, has been filled by The Reverend Jonathan Jasper, who takes up his duties on 3 June, having been licensed by the Bishop of St Albans on 23 May.
After his ordination in St Alban’s Abbey by Bishop Robert Runcie, Jonathan began his career as Assistant Curate in Cheshunt and then in Bedford, before becoming Assistant Chaplain at Southampton University. Thence he moved as University Chaplain to the Medical Schools at the University of London. He became Priest Vicar of Chichester Cathedral, with responsibilities for music, liturgy and the pastoral care of the congregation. From 1989 to 2002 he ministered in three rural parishes in Essex, first as Priest-in-Charge and then as Rector, and from 2002-2008 he was Associate Vicar of Christchurch Priory and Priest at Somerford and then became Assistant Priest in Bournemouth.
During the whole of his ministry, Jonathan has worked with children and young people of all ages, from toddlers to students; he has acted as tutor to new Readers, and has led various study, discussion and prayer groups. He is keenly interested in music of all kinds and has an interest in medical ethics and hospital care. He likes exploring places and historic buildings and enjoys reading and walking.
Jonathan feels at home both with traditional and contemporary forms of worship and has in previous posts developed individual services for schools and for special occasions. He is an inspiring and thoughtful preacher.
Jonathan is looking forward to develop the spiritual understanding and experience of his new congregations, as well as to celebrate and help to deploy the gifts that all have been given by God and so to reflect God’s love and care for others and to mirror His Kingdom.
We are all very much looking forward to welcoming him among us. Until he formally starts work on 3rd June, please contact one of the Churchwardens if you have any problems that you wish to discuss.
CHURCHWARDENS
Barkway
Mrs Mirjam Foot, Martins Cottage, Nuthampstead, Royston, SG8 8ND
(01763) 848327 mirjam.foot@btinternet.com
Nicholas Tufton, The Red House, 11 High Street, Barkway, Royston, SG8 8EA
(01763) 848888 nicholas@ntufton.co.uk
Barley
Mr Reg Cording, 2 Millers Close, Picknage Road, Barley, Royston, SG8 8JS
(01763) 848921
Anna Brown, 23 Greenbury Close, Barley, Royston, SG8 8DS
01763 849779 akdbrown@yahoo.co.uk
Reed
Ms Karin Weston, Priory House, Rectory Lane, Buckland, Buntingford, SG9 0PT
(01763) 271912 ktweston@btinternet.com
