Holy Island and its main town of Holyhead – on the west of the Isle of Anglesey – will be welcoming a new vicar and a new way of working on Saturday, 22 February.
At a special service, at 3pm in St. Cybi’s Church, Holyhead – led by the Bishop of Bangor, the Right Reverend Andrew John – the Bro Cybi Ministry Area will be inaugurated, and the Rev’d Dr. Kevin Ellis will be inducted as it’s new vicar and the Bro Cybi Ministry Area Team Leader.
The Bro Cybi Ministry Area will become the newest Ministry Area in the Diocese of Bangor, as the Diocese develops a new way of working. The name ‘Ministry Area’ reflects the fact that the ministry and mission of the Church – serving the people of the local community – is the responsibility of all Church people, not just the new vicar.
Looking forward to the service, the Bishop of Bangor, commented, ‘I am delighted and thrilled that Kevin and his family are with us and wish them all blessings, joy and happiness on Holy Island and here in our Diocese. It is an exciting time for the new Bro Cybi Ministry Area.’
The Rev’d Dr. Kevin Ellis added, ‘As Vicar of Holy Island and Team Leader of the Bro Cybi Ministry Area, I hope to nurture the confidence of Church people and remind them that their Christian faith is credible, relevant and fun. I will encourage people on the fringes of the Christian Church to take another look at the extraordinary claims made by Jesus Christ. I will also be a passionate advocate of the holy history of the incredibly beautiful place in where I am now so fortunate to live.’
Kevin was born and grew up in Sheffield. Prior to being ordained, he worked in a number of settings, such as an assistant manager of a newsagents, a mystery shopper, and as a New Testament theologian. Indeed, one of his passions is making the stories of the Bible intelligible and accessible to all, particularly people who have limited contact with the Church community.
Since being ordained, Kevin has served in a number of places, such as Matson, a council estate on the edge Gloucester, Maryport and Flimby on the west coast of Cumbria, and most recently as the vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Bartley Green in Birmingham.
During his ordained ministry, Kevin has developed an interest in community regeneration, as well as a passion for working closely with schools and for developing work with young people. His Grove Booklet called Mission in Schools will be published in April.