White Horse Team vicar steps down from role in Westbury

ONE of Westbury’s top vicars is stepping down next month when he moves away from the area.

After four years as team vicar at the White Horse Team, Reverend Steve Jarvis, will be leaving Westbury next month to take up a role as Associate Vicar at a parish in Stratford-on-Avon.

Steve’s final service will be the Cafe Church at Dilton Marsh Memorial Hall on Sunday 21st May from 10am.

Steve said, “I’m feeling a mixture of sadness and excitement to be leaving as I have made a lot of friends during my time in Westbury.

“I will be leaving Dilton Marsh at the end of May to prepare for my new role as the Associate Vicar of the Parish of Holy Trinity, Stratford-Upon-Avon, with All Saints, Luddington, and St Helen’s, Clifford Chambers.

“My new role as Associate Vicar will be similar, but will be more focused on working with discipleship and engagement in the north part of the parish, which has fallen away from the church. Being in Westbury has allowed me to develop the skills I will need in my new role and whilst it will be a challenge, I’m looking forward to it.

“Stratford-on-Avon is a bigger area than Westbury with seasonal events taking place throughout the year, whilst this is great for the town, many people who live there don’t feel part of that and are on the fringes of the community. My role will be to lead the church to bring these people back into the community.

“My role in Westbury has been varied, but mainly I took the lead in working with children and families, in particular with schools in Dilton Marsh, Westbury Leigh, Westbury Juniors and once a week I visit Matravers School. I’ve also been involved with the local charity Crosspoint. Meeting the many people who use and rely on the services has been wonderful and I’ve made many friends there.

“Momentum within the team has increased since I have been there, we’re engaging more with the wider community. The visibility of the church has also increased, especially in Dilton Marsh with the new toilet facilities. Community-based events and activities can now be organised and we can offer our resources to the wider community.

“I will be sad to leave but I’m being called to do something elsewhere – the team has achieved a lot in the last four years and I’m confident it will continue to do so.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you for all your love, support, prayers and friendship extended to me during my time living amongst you. And I have to say that I will leave with Dilton Marsh always holding a special place in my heart, along with you all as residents, and especially the congregation and PCC at Holy Trinity Church.

“I will be licensed at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-Upon-Avon on June 15th at 7.30pm, to which I extend an open invitation to anyone who may wish to attend.”

Gordon King, founding director of Crosspoint said, “Steve has been a fantastic influence and worked incredibly hard with the young people who use the services. He has a great passion for fighting poverty and deprivation in the community and he will be sorely missed.”