A NEW priest will be on hand to serve the people of Egremont, Bigrigg and Moor Row.

The Reverend Tim Taylor was licensed as associate priest at a recent ceremony.

He will work in the benefice of Egremont, Bigrigg and Moor Row with the Parish of Haile - with pastoral responsibility for Thornhill.

"It is a privilege and honour to be able to serve the people of Egremont, Haile and Bigrigg as one of the priests in this team.

"It has been a long journey," said Reverend Taylor, who moved to Cumbria 18 years ago with his wife Helen and their three children and has settled in St Bees.

He explained: "Under the gentle, but steady guidance of the late Canon Philip Bryan, I trained and served as Reader for some seven years.

"During this time I began to feel the calling to Ordained Ministry. This was explored with colleagues within the diocese, before beginning training for the priesthood."

The new priest carried out a three year training course with the local Diocesan training scheme which lead to his ordination, first as deacon and then as priest.

He said: "I was fortunate enough to serve my curacy within the Egremont Team, under the guidance of the Reverend Richard Lee.

"I completed my curacy last summer and have been offered the post of Assistant Priest within the Egremont team to continue serving the people there."

Reverend Taylor's role is voluntary and is known as a self-supporting minister (SSM).

"Unlike the traditional model of priesthood, I serve as an SSM which means that my role is entirely voluntary. I work full-time locally and benefit from a very supportive employer, and especially colleagues," he said.

"To all who have had to put up with me during training, and my curacy I am truly grateful, and really appreciate their support through the whole of this time."