Local Face: Mark Dearnley
Mark Dearnley is set to become a very important local face in Wendover because on 14th June he will become the Vicar of Wendover. Mark already knows that pastoral work, preaching and teaching are major aspects of the role of a vicar. Each place requires an approach that allows a sensitive and flexible attitude to the role. Naturally Wendover and Halton are no exception.
St Mary’s, Wendover and St Michael and All Angels, Halton became a united benefice in November last year and Mark will continue
the work to develop this new link which is the result of much hard work by both parishes. Mark is particularly mindful that his role as vicar is not just to the worshipping members of the church, but also to the parish. The old language described the vicar as “sharing responsibility for the cure of all souls in the Parish of Wendover”. This means he can be approached by any resident of the parish and the church should be a focus for the whole community.
In thinking about the role of the church today Mark believes it has to face the challenges of the future and consider ways it can be relevant to modern life whilst connected to traditions that bring a stability in an ever-changing world. Mark says, “I think this is achieved as a community is encouraged to grow together, to take responsibility for the stewardship and nurture of people and resources around them, and to demonstrate the love of God by their daily living.”
Mark introduced himself to the readers of Contact, the Churches Together in Wendover monthly Parish Magazine, back in March. For the benefit of readers of Wendover News, this is a slightly updated version of what he wrote then:
I was bom in Salisbury in February 1959 and i, lived in the Cathedral Close until I was 8. Dad was an organist at Salisbury Cathedral and then St Paul’s in London, so my early life revolved around the splendour of those settings. I was so convinced that such places just had to be the dwelling place of God, that I once inquisitively asked my Mum f if a rather grand-looking visiting Bishop was God. The eldest of 4, I grew up a fairly typical eldest child, organising younger siblings and usually the first to get the new coat, bicycle, etc.
Schooling took place at Salisbury and St Paul’s Cathedral Choir Schools, then the City of London School. After 0 levels I embarked on my first real adventure: a six month trip to Australia which included some well paid work, a 4,800 mile hitch-hiking trip, and a broken wrist. Back home I undertook a 4 year apprenticeship in the electrical industry, and having qualified left to work for two and a half years with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). This had nothing to do with electrics, but provided another series of adventures as I travelled and learnt much in my Christian Joumey. God then led me to pursue ordination. The next steps went amazingly smoothly and after a year in Eastboume doing practical church work and study, I spent 3 years at Cranmer Hall, St John’s College, Durham. During this time I met Ruth, studying Law at Newcastle. I then moved to my first curacy in Purley. I cycled miles between Wimbledon (where Ruth was doing her PGCE) and Purley, and later between Addiscombe (my second curacy) and New Cross (Ruth’s new abode). Our marriage in 1992 brought rest to weary legs. Charlie was bom in 1994 and soon afterwards we moved to Hook – my first job as vicar. Esther was born in 1995. Recreation? Visions of skiing and hot sum mer holidays in Australia have given place to doing up the house we have taken on and the usual running around with Charlie and Esther.
We have had a happy time at Hook and have become very connected to the community. It is always hard to say goodbye but we are excited about our move to Wendover. We now look forward to what God has in store for us as we work together in this next exciting phase of ministry for ourselves and for Wendover and Halton.
Many Wendover residents will remember with affection Mark’s recent predecessors Geoffrey Milroy (1959-79), Andrew Meynell (1981-95) and Hugh Marshall (1996-2001). Mark’s first Sunday morning service at St Mary’s, Wendover will take place on 16th June and everyone is very welcome.