"The New Kid in Town"
As I write this our move to Sheet seems to be approaching very fast. We are looking forward enormously to joining you in the work that God is doing in Sheet. Smothering the inevitable nerves there is a great sense of excitement.
So who is this new kid in town?
I am a Hampshire lad - born and brought up in the New Forest, though I spent most of my adult life in other parts of the country.
I was a history teacher before I began training for ordination. I bring from this time an enthusiasm about work with young people - one of the key questions that we face as a Church at the moment is how we can bring the Good News to a generation whose parents have had no contact with the Church.
I trained at Ridley Hall in Cambridge. This was a vibrant place to be with a commitment to the Bible combined with a focus on the interchange between faith and culture and where I also found the opportunity to explore the impact of the Gospel for those who are marginalised. These are all issues that continue to challenge me.
I have spent the last four years as a Curate in Gosport. This has been a great time in lots of ways - not least because during this time I got married to Verity (an artist and teacher) and we had our first child, Elizabeth, in August last year. I have also relished the opportunity to lead a variety of styles of worship and have loved the chance to be a Priest within the community.
I do look forward to continuing to learn among you these lessons that God has started to teach me.
Rob Dewing
Rob was ordained Deacon in 1999 and Priested in 2000.
At Alverstoke Rob's principal responsibility over the last two years has been for the daughter church of St.Francis. He has played a full part in ministry across the parish, preaching and leading worship, conducting the occasional offices, visiting and providing pastoral care to those in need. He has had particular responsibility for baptism and marriage preparation, house groups, Alpha and much of the youth and children's work. He has facilitated the PCC Outreach group, initiated and led a youth group and has regularly taken assemblies and taught classes in an number of local schools.
Rob lists his hobbies as squash, tennis and running (for fitness and pleasure) and cookery.
He will be instituted as Vicar of St. Mary Magdalen, Sheet at 7:30 pm on Tuesday the 17th June by the Bishop of Portsmouth.
We look forward very much to welcoming him and his family to the parish.Jeannine Davies and Charlie Meader.
