A Sedgefield clergyman described as “well-loved by a lot of people” has announced his decision to retire and leave the parish.

The Revd. Michael Thompson, Team Vicar in the Parish of the Upper Skerne, will retire on July 31st, four years after accepting the post and making his home at Trimdon Grange.

He and his family intend to remain in County Durham where “after a period of rest and reflection”, he plans to offer his services “in some form to the former mining communities that were once the mainstream and energising force of life in this county”.

Father Michael, as he is popularly known, was ordained deacon in 1986 and made priest the following year in the diocese of Newcastle. Most of his ministry was spent in the London commuter belt of Surrey, Essex and Suffolk in team or complex parish roles where he took responsibility on various occasions for outreach, education and schools.

Before returning to the North East, he was Rector of a rural and commuter, multi- parish benefice in North Suffolk where he served for a time as Area Dean.

Father Michael said this week that after accepting the offer to serve as Team Vicar in the Upper Skerne he was “delighted to become part of a parish full of potential and hope”.

He added: “It was wonderful to work with children again and help support the parish leaders and different congregations and communities within this wide-ranging and varied parish.

“Within the spectrum of community life in the Trimdons and Fishburn I also found an echo of my working class roots.

“It was an honour to give the prayer of benediction and march before the miners’ banners on Gala Day. Memories of this and being involved with the dedication of the restored Trimdon Colliery miners’ banner will always remain with me.”

For many people, Father Michael will be remembered for his great sense of humour.

At Sunday’s service at St Edmund’s Church, The Revd. Martin King, former Rector of Sedgefield, thanked Father Michael for his ministry in the parish and told him: “You will be missed. . . You are well loved by a lot of people.”

Related article:
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Article courtesy of Ron Eyley

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Page added 11th May 2018