"It's time to move on"
After 12 years as vicar of "the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in all England" the time has come for us to move on.
As many of you know, I first came to Redcliffe in 1996 when I spent five years as Associate Vicar. I described that role as “The best job in the Church of England." However, after twelve years as vicar, I have to admit that I think this one is even better … just!
I have been ordained for just over thirty years, which means that I have spent over half my ministry within Redcliffe. It is a community, a building and a place I have always loved for its people, its situation and its mix.
It has been a huge privilege, a real honour and (on the whole) great fun being here, living amongst you and sharing with you in the work of the gospel.
There have been some notable ‘wins’:
- a strapline and four key themes that really describe who SMR is
- a congregation that has grown in number and diversity
- a community team making a real difference
- a significant increase in visitor engagement
- a far more robust and compliant organisational structure
And there are some notable things that have been left undone:
- most notably, our accessible toilet is still down a flight of steps!
I have great confidence in the amazing team within this extraordinary place. I know you will continue to "Sing the Song of Faith and Justice" with hope and expectation. I know you will continue to find new, dynamic and creative ways that honour Redcliffe's traditions. I know you will continue to build on them and so unfold as yet unknown and unseen glimpses of the Kingdom of God.
As for me, as for us, we will be moving to London.
Being a clergy family means that our previous moves have all been determined by me getting a new job. For some time we have had a hankering to live in London and, as many of you know, Sarah has been commuting to the capital for the last ten years. So that's what we're going to do.
In the summer we'll move to London. I'll take my pension and spend my time supporting the work of the local church in new ways.
All this means that my time as vicar of "Bristol's fairest" is drawing to close and our last Sunday will be Sunday 13 July.
Thank you for your companionship along the way and for your commitment to this wonderful place.
Dan Tyndall
23 February 2025
