Two new vicars have been licensed to service in the Cotswolds.

Rev’d Simon Brignall and Rev’d Kim Brown have been licensed by the Bishop of Tewkesbury to serve in the South Cotswolds Team Ministry.

The licensing service is usually held in the parish church but because of current social distancing rules the service was done virtually with Simon and Kim taking their oaths and making their promises to serve the communities in the South Cotswolds via Zoom.

The team rector of the South Cotswolds – Canon John Swanton – said: “I am so pleased to welcome Simon and Kim to join us here in the South Cotswolds.

"Both have different experience, gifts and talents to share within their parishes and across the area more widely.

"Simon will have particular care for the Parish of Coln St Aldwyns, Hatherop and Quenington; and Kim will be looking after the Parishes of Castle Eaton, Kempsford & Whelford and The Meyseys.

"I know they will be warmly welcomed to both the church families and by the wider community. We are here for everyone.”

Kim Brown will be well known in and around Cirencester having led the Upper Room Project in the town and serving as a Curate in the Tetbury Benefice.

Simon has previously worked in Dorset, Peru and Chile

New vicar, Simon said: “I look forward to working with a wonderful group of clergy and church leaders in this diverse and wide ranging team.”

The Rt Rev’d Robert Springett, Bishop of Tewkesbury, said: “It was a great delight to licence Simon and Kim to their new ministries in the South Cotswolds team Ministry.

"While it was unusual to do so over Zoom it was a great reminder that while our church buildings may be temporarily closed the church is very much open and in business, serving and supporting our communities Simon and Kim both bring great gifts and will I know be a blessing to all.”

Looking to the future, Canon John Swanton added: “We hope, when the time is right, we will be able to offer both Simon and Kim a more personal welcome in their local church buildings, when the Archdeacon of Cheltenham will formally install them, and our congregations and representatives of the community will be able to join us.”

Simon Brignall can be contacted at The Vicarage at Coln St Aldwyns and by email – chqvicar@gmail.com

Kim Brown can be contacted at The Parsonage, Kempsford

Both Licensing Services can be found online at CHQChurches.net – at the Worship at Home page.