THE next Archdeacon of Auckland has been announced, following the retirement of the Venerable Nick Barker in July.

Revd Rick Simpson, of St Brandon’s, Brancepeth, will take up the role from February next year.

The 51-year-old will be responsible for the Archdeaconry covering the southern part of the Diocese which includes Stockton and Darlington on its southern boundary, Teesdale and Weardale in the North and West and across Bishop Auckland.

He will also take the lead on interim ministry in the Diocese, initially assisting the new Priest in Charge at Holy Trinity and St Cuthbert, Darlington.

Rev Simpson said: “I am hugely excited to have been appointed Archdeacon of Auckland.

“In the Church of England as a whole and in the Diocese of Durham this is a time of real challenge, but also great opportunity.

“I look forward very much to joining Bishop Paul and his leadership team, and working alongside the members and leaders of our churches, as we try together to ensure that all we do in worship, mission and ministry celebrates and shares the love and blessing of God.”

Rev Simpson has worked with curates and their training incumbents (vicars with responsibility for supervising and mentoring curates), for both Durham and Newcastle Dioceses, for the last ten years.

The role involved running a four-year programme of training events and offering support to clergy colleagues throughout the curacy process.

He has also contributed to other dioceses and nationally on developing ministerial training and continuing development.

During this time he has also been the Priest-in-Charge of St Brandon’s, Brancepeth, where he and the congregation have worked together to develop a shared approach to mission and ministry, releasing the gifts and skills of church members alongside those of the clergy.

Prior to this, Rev Simpson served for ten years in the parishes of Holy Trinity, Jesmond, and St Barnabas and St Jude, Newcastle. He had also served his curacy in Newcastle Diocese, at St. Gabriel’s Heaton.

Announcing the news, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, said Rev Simpson was the ideal candidate.

He said: “I am delighted that we are able to announce Rick as the new Archdeacon of Auckland, his work over the last ten years with the training of curates and his leadership of St Brandon’s, Brancepeth in this Diocese made him an ideal candidate for the role.

“I am very much looking forward to working with him in his new capacity and to his input in helping shape

the future of mission and ministry across our churches in Auckland Archdeaconry and the wider Diocese.”

Rev Simpson enjoys nature and wildlife, films, novels, music and sport.

He is married to Dr Rachel Lunney, who works as a GP, and the pair celebrated their silver wedding anniversary last year.

The new Archdeacon of Auckland will be installed into his new post during Evensong at Durham Cathedral on February, 11, 2018.