April 2026
The welcome I have received to the Diocese of Durham and the Benefice of Upper Weardale has been wonderful. As I write this reflection, I am six weeks into my new combined role as Interim priest-in-charge from Frosterley to Killhope, and Rural Mission Lead for the Diocese of Durham. During this time, I have begun to explore our communities; the cafes, shops, pubs and events that make up village life. I have also begun to see a rhythm to church life and the way the church shares its Christian life with the people we know. I have cycled and walked into the hills and moorland – and I have been blown by the wind, drenched by the rain and warmed in the sunshine. At a surface level I feel I’m beginning to get to know Weardale, but I can see that there is a depth which will take a lifetime to truly know. I feel genuinely blessed to be among you.
My post is for three years. Beyond that we do not know what God has in store for us as a church community. There is a challenge facing the Church of England, and Weardale is not immune to the national changes that are happening. There was a problem with clergy recruitment in the past, so there are going to be fewer clergy in the future. The figures are staggering; today there are about 7,500 clergy serving 12,500 parishes, but by 2030 there will be only 6,500 clergy. My role in the Church of England in Weardale is to help us prepare for the changes ahead, changes that are beyond our control.
There are several church communities doing great work here. Those of us in the Church of England share in our mission alongside Methodists, Roman Catholics, and free church people. However, the Church of England has an odd place in the life of our country – we have a legal obligation to everyone, whether they come to church or not. It has been said that the church is an organisation which exists for others, not for itself. Everyone, in every parish, has a legal right to a Christening, Marriage or Funeral in their Church of England church.
How will we face the dual challenge of ensuring ongoing Christian ministry here in Upper Weardale, while also creating space for our churches to flourish? Thankfully, we are not starting from scratch. Each of our churches have a calendar full of wonderful out-reach activities, fairs, cafes, open days, and musical events. We have people who are deeply committed to our churches and people of deep Christian faith. We are in a good place to face up to the future – and we can be boldly confident that God is at work among us.
Over the next twelve months I would like to explore vocation with those who feel they might be called to a sacramental life. The Reverend Heather Ross is a model of self-supporting ministry that is rooted in our land but finds purpose in God’s calling. I believe that there are others among our church community who may feel the nudge of God’s calling to minister in the apostolic, pastoral, prophetic, preaching and/or teaching ministries of ordination. I would love to encourage, support and enable your calling. If you feel nudged this way, please speak to me sooner rather than later.
Additionally, there are those among our church community who have a calling to different vocations. I have a sense that we could see someone with a musical calling leading a Christian Choir in the dale. There are those with a head for figures that could prepare to manage our finances for the next generation. Churchwardens are amazing and live at the heart of church life. We will need others to be Churchwardens in the future. Safeguarding is critical to the life of the church: God is unlikely to trust the church with people-in-need unless we can ensure their safety. I know that there are people who, like me, are passionate about our churches being places where we all feel safe and would like to work alongside our existing Parish Safeguarding Officers in this important and Godly task.
We are creating a new church website, and a calendar that is visible to the public. So, all our events should be easy to find. www.upperweardalebenefice.org
My first impression of the Church of England in Upper Weardale is that we have a deep faith, a commitment to our shared church life, an enthusiasm to share our faith and welcome people into our church buildings, a determination to help those in need, and a passion for Weardale. It is my joy to encourage you that God is very present, hears our prayers, and is most clearly at work in our lives. So, please join with me in praying – every day – that God will make his glory seen in the lives of his children here in Upper Weardale.
Every blessing,
The Reverend Graeme Holdsworth
