Pastures news for Buxton reverend after 13 years

The parish of Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale is a team ministry with six churches, with John at its helm.

However, he is now stepping down and will be taking up a vacant position in Hayfield, Chinley and Buxworth starting in April.

John said: “After 13 years I think it was time Buxton had fresh leadership and it was time for a fresh challenge for me.”

Before a sabbatical in late 2014, John was told not to be surprised if he ended up moving as a result, and dismissed the suggestion.

He said: “When the vicar at the Hayfield, Chinley and Buxworth parish stepped down in June she came to Buxton to worship and I felt as if it was passing the baton on to me.

“The job was not advertised until November but when, it was it felt like this was God’s calling for me.”

During his time in Buxton John has been an active campaigner, working to save the Pavilion Gardens from becoming a food hall, and retain the minor injuries unit and the ambulance station in the town.

He has also been involved in the ongoing campaign to keep services for dementia users at Cavendish Hospital.

John said: “So many good things have happened in the community and in the church. In recent years I have welcomed a lot of new people to faith which is a wonderful thing and seen the launch of messy church and cafe church too.”

His last service in Buxton will be on Sunday March 19.

He will start his new job on March 23,with his first Sunday service on April 2.