It is wonderful to welcome Shemil Mathew to our benefice of parishes following his ordination as deacon on 29th June at Peterborough Cathedral. Over the coming weeks he will be having a whirlwind tour of our six churches before sharing some of his story with us on 20th July. Follow-ing the service there will be a bring and share lunch at the Rectory Aynho, when you will be able to meet him in a more informal way. We expect Shemil to be with us for the next three years as he is trained first as Deacon and then in 2015 Priest. I am sure everybody will give him a warm welcome as he is very excited about meeting you and getting to know you.
Shemil writes:- I am really looking forward to meeting you all and starting the new phase in my life alongside you. I was born and brought up in the southern Indian state of Kerala in an ancient Christian family in the tradition of St Thomas. Before starting my ministerial training at Ripon College Cudesdon I worked some years with Church Mission Society and also spent a year as house dad looking after our son. My wife is currently a team vicar in the Bicester team ministry in Oxford Diocese and we have two children Thomas (3) and Catherine (11 months’).
I enjoy cooking, gardening, fixing and recycling computers. We will appreciate your prayers as I enter the new phase of my ministry and training and as a family getting used to being a two cler-gy house hold.