The Bishop of Bristol and the Peache Trustees are pleased to announce that the Revd Daniel Watts has been appointed as the next Vicar of Christ Church Downend. Dan will begin his ministry in the early spring.

The Bishop of Bristol said “I am thrilled that Dan is joining us to take up the role of Vicar of Christ Church Downend. Christ Church is an exceptional prayerful and missional congregation and Dan brings many gifts as he leads the church into this new season.  I am confident that Dan’s prior experience in North Yorkshire, notably in respect of children and families work and discipleship and mission, will stand him in good stead and will continue to be a gift to the Church.”

Dan introduces himself to the congregation below:

Dear Christ Church Downend,

I am really excited to be able to write and introduce myself and my family and am looking forward to meeting you all soon.

I am currently Associate Vicar at Harrogate St. Mark’s and have served here since 2009. My wife, Julia, a primary school teacher, and our two children Megan (22) and Samuel (20) moved up to North Yorkshire after I served my curacy in Paddock Wood near Tonbridge in Kent. Before I trained at Wycliffe Hall for ordination, I worked as a Youth and Children’s Minister for over ten years. I currently oversee the youth, children and families work at St. Mark’s, along with discipleship and mission. Julia and I – and our two kittens – will be moving down to Bristol in the new year.

Our daughter Megan graduated from the University of York earlier this year and now works full time at Betty’s – the famous tearooms here in Harrogate. Our son Sam is in his second year studying for a BMus at the Royal Northern School of Music in Manchester.

I am thankful for this opportunity to come and live, work and serve among you all. I am excited to see what God is doing in you and through you and looking forward to leading us all in to the new things that God has in store for us all. My passion is to see every one of us confident of our identity in Christ Jesus as his beloved children, and sharing that love confidently with those around us in Downend and beyond. Please pray for us – that the move would go smoothly and that we are able to to settle quickly. I will continue to pray that the God who comes to us, Emmanuel, will continue to bless you over this coming Christmas.

With our love,

Dan and Julia Watts