New Rector: Rev. Jonathan Swindells  (early 2025)

Jane, my wife and I, are looking forward very much to living and serving in Storrington.

We have been blessed with twelve good years here in West Wittering. We have seen the church family grow in number and spirit as well as seeing our three older children (a teacher, a musician and a nurse) fly the nest and bless us with a gorgeous granddaughter Ellie ’Bean’. Our youngest daughter is finishing her final year at Leeds University (my old University) reading Religion, Politics and Sociology.

We will miss our much loved walks here by the beautiful coast with Brynn and BeeBee, our Bedlington Terriers. However, we know there will be many more wonderful walks from Storrington and more pubs too… We do need to find some cold water for Jane to swim in – her happy place.

Jane will also appreciate having her daily commute cut by two hours. She is based in Horsham with the West Sussex Music Trust as the Primary Curriculum Manager advising, training and supporting the music in Primary Schools across West Sussex.

I was privileged to train for the priesthood at The College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, having previously been a secondary school teacher and senior leader. I served my Curacy at Sherborne Abbey with its long tradition of liturgical and choral excellence and civic service. I moved to a busy, cosmopolitan and youthful church in central Hove before being called to serve the Benefice of West Wittering and Birdham with Itchenor – now known as Harbour Churches. I have a passion for realising the fullness of life we have in Christ in the communities I serve. As a Spiritual Director, I appreciate the value of contemplative spirituality, both personally and for the wider church. Above all, I am convinced that the Parish Church can have a meaningful and impactful missional life within the communities we are called to serve and will grow in growing God’s Kingdom.

My happy places are, in no particular order; fly fishing by a Lakeland river, having a pint in the local and possibly a curry, listening to Bach (the Master), playing cricket for the village team, poetry, Hillfield Friary SSF, having all the family gathered around the dinner table and eating buttery new potatoes that I have managed to grow…

Please do be assured of my prayers over the coming weeks.

Yours in Christ
Jonathan

PS Don’t worry too much where I am on ‘the candle’ – what matters is ‘the Light’.