Two new clergy chosen to lead exciting Isle of Wight project

The Rev Heath Monaghan will become the team rector for the five parishes of Ryde, and the Rev Olly Mitchelmore will be the team vicar with responsibility for planting new congregations.

They will join the Rev David Morgan, who was appointed team vicar for traditional worship in September.

The clergy, appointed by the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, will lead a team of staff and congregation members in a five-year project, which includes starting new services for contemporary worship, as well as working with the current congregations to continue to engage with and serve the community.

Rev Heath Monaghan (Image: Diocese of Portsmouth)

Rev Olly Mitchelmore (Image: Diocese of Portsmouth)

Rev Monaghan, who grew up in a coal-mining community near Durham and later founded and led Aspire Ryde, will be licenced by Bishop Jonathan on January 14 at All Saints Church in Ryde.

Rev Mitchelmore, who is originally from Cornwall but has also lived on the Falkland Islands and in Swindon, arrived on the Isle of Wight in 2012 to do a placement in East Cowes as part of his nursing training and will be licenced on April 24.

The project is part of a larger drive to revitalise C of E churches across the Island.