A new team rector has been appointed to the Ashburton and Moorland Mission Community following the retirement of the Right Reverend Mark Rylands on April 6.

Reverend Phillip Parker, who is currently assistant curate in the South Tamar Mission Community in West Devon, will move to Ashburton Rectory in the summer where he will lead the parishes of Ashburton, Bickington, Buckland-in-the-Moor, Holne, Huccaby, Ilsington, Leusdon, Postbridge and Widecombe.

Phill had a varied career before training for ordained ministry with jobs as a customer development engineer for a computer software firm, a police officer with the Devon and Cornwall Police, and as a college lecturer.

Phill has degrees in computer science and theology and holds professional teaching qualifications. He trained for ordination at St Mellitus College and in Devon and has served on the Exeter diocesan safeguarding team.

Phill has also been involved with the Christans in Motorsport organisation for many years and was previously chair. He is currently a national motorsport chaplain.

Phill will move to Ashburton with his wife, Morag, a professional dance and theatre practitioner, and his young son Jude.

On behalf of the ministry team in Ashburton, Reverend John Bennett said: ‘We are delighted that Phill will be joining us as our rector. We look forward to welcoming him with his wife Morag and his little boy Jude to our mission community and to sharing in ministry with him.’

While Phill said he was sad to be leaving so many friends behind in the South Tamar Mission Community, he is very excited to be joining the Ashburton and Moorland team. ;There are several people I already know through my previous work for the Diocese and from spending a summer on placement with Bishop Mark a few years ago, so it already feels like I have friends with you, and I very much look forward to getting to know you all in the fullness of time.