Our New Team Rector – Revd Dr. Mark Smith

Mark and his family hope to move into The Rectory in June with Mark’s institution taking place at the end of that month.

Mark’s wife, Lisa, is a social worker. They have two children, Aidan (8) and Hannah (4). Aidan will enrol at BottesfordPrimary School, for the final half of the summer term. Hannah will start school in September.

Mark was ordained in the Diocese of York 20 years ago. He is currently Vicar of St Paul’s, Scotforth (Lancaster), in the Diocese of Blackburn, where he has been since 2003. Before then, for 5 years, he was Vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Preston, following 4 years as Senior Chaplain of St Martin’s College, Lancaster.

In addition to his parish work, Mark has been World Development Adviser (WDA) for the Diocese of Blackburn, focussing on issues of social justice, working with Christian Aid and making Blackburna ‘Fair Trade Diocese’. He has established links between his local C of E schools and schools in Uganda.

Mark has strong academic qualifications, with a  post-graduate diploma in Theology, a period as a student in Berlin and recently (2003) a doctorate in Religious Studies. However, his calling remains towards Parish ministry and work with schools which will form the focus of his role of Team Rector based in Bottesford.

Regarding his out-of-work interests, Mark says:-

‘I enjoy travelling, especially around central and eastern Europefor which I have a special affection given my student days in Berlin. I like watching sport of almost kind (especially football, rugby, cricket, golf and American Football) and I have run the London Marathonon three occasions for Christian Aid.

I have a broad taste in music and play the guitar for relaxation (with great mediocrity I might add). I enjoy the theatre and in times past have directed a number of plays (e.g. ‘Equus’; ‘Murder in the Cathedral’). I enjoy food and drink and eating out - as evidenced by my expanding girth’.

We look forward to welcoming Mark and his family into our church and community, to lead and encourage us in God’s work.