The New Curate of Shottery St Andrews

I started as assistant curate started at St Andrew’s in July 2020.

I completed my ordination training at Ripon College Cuddesdon in Oxford where I spent 2 years completing an Durham Common Awards Diploma in Theology & Ministry, alongside this I also had lots of practical ministry experience including Sunday worship placements, two chaplaincy placements as well as in house worship experience. During my second year I was also executive sacristan in the Edward King Chapel. I am originally from Nuneaton in North Warwickshire where my family still live, I regularly attended St Paul's Stockingford, where I was a member of the PCC as well a member of a number of management groups, I ran one of the youth groups and was heavily involved in running the Summer Holiday Club, which was always a real joy.

Before training to become a Vicar, I was a Professional Gardener and have worked at a number of large country estates throughout the country; Arbury Hall, Waddesdon Manor and Highgrove House, to name a few. My last job was as Estate Manager at Hampton Lucy House just outside Stratford upon Avon. Whilst there, his duties included management of the House, the Garden and also a flock of sheep; an experience I thinks will hold him in good stead for parish ministry.

I enjoys meeting new people and am always happy to get together with friends old and new. This may be for a coffee or a nice pint of ale, along with a chat and fellowship. I have a passion for cricket, if not necessarily at the greatest skill level. I also plays golf (badly) and watches most sports and documentaries on pretty much any subject.

I look forward to really integrating myself into the parish both in Shottery and Bishopton once the restrictions are lifted fully. In the mean time I have been doing what i can in parish having arrived at the end of June.

I look forward to meeting as many people as possible, and if you do see me out and about please do say hi.

Rev Mike Stewart