We are thrilled to announce that Al Metcalfe will be the next vicar of St Augustine’s Ipswich! We can’t wait for the Metcalfe family to join us in Ipswich, this autumn, as we begin an exciting new season as a church.

Here’s a little message from Al, Sarah, Connie, and Reuben to us! Take a look…

“Hi St Augustine’s! 

We are the Metcalfes and we are just thrilled to be coming to Ipswich this Autumn and I (Al) am massively excited to be joining you as Vicar. We’ve been praying for some time that we would find a church like you who would be looking for a family like ours… God is good!

A tiny bit about us. Sarah is a primary school teacher and loves making things. We both run and enjoy good food with friends. Connie, 12, loves books, fashion and cats; Reuben, 9, loves football (especially Liverpool) and Pokemon. Before I went forward for ordination, I was a writer and managed comms and fundraising for a number of organisations including The Message in Manchester.

God’s been speaking to me a lot recently about ‘praying big prayers.’ John Newton wrote an amazing hymn (no, not that one!) with a line in it which I love: ‘Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring; for his grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much.’  

This is who he is – a big God who loves to answer big prayers. Can’t wait to start praying them with you, in person, very soon.

Much love, 

Al, Sarah, Connie and Reuben.”

 

A note from Bishop Martin:
 
“The Right Revd Martin Seeley, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, is delighted to announce that the next Vicar of St Augustine of Hippo, Ipswich will be The Revd Al Metcalfe. This is subject to the completion of legal formalities and when those matters have been completed we will be able to announce the date of the Licencing. Al is presently Assistant Curate in St Andrew’s Bebington (and Townfield) in the Diocese of Chester.
 
The Bishop would like to thank the parish representatives and all those involved in the process of Al’s appointment, and he assures you of his prayers. Please pray for Al, his wife Sarah and their children Connie and Reuben as they prepare for their move.”