TWO clergy will be licensed in the Aber-Morfa Mission Area for their new roles.

On Sunday, December 5, Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, will be visiting St Mary’s Church, Towyn, at 2.30pm, to licence reverend Christopher Spencer, currently associate priest in Rhyl, and reverend Janet Crane, currently assistant curate in Towyn.

Both will be licensed as priests-in-charge.

In 2019, after following God’s prompting, Chris moved from Bristol to Rhyl with his wife Emily and their two daughters Chloe, 10, and Leah, aged five.

He said: "For us, as for many, the pandemic has proven challenging, but we are excited about this new chapter for the Mission Area as we discern God’s call to what he wants us to do next.

"My licensing as a Priest-in-Charge marks the next chapter not only in my own personal ministry, but for the whole Mission Area as we continue to listen to God’s call and serve His people in this place with compassion and joy’.

Bishop Gregory said: "I am pleased to be able to appoint Chris to a more senior role within the Aber Morfa Mission Area.

"Chris has worked with dedication and fruitfulness among us now for some little while, and deserves the recognition of this new position."

Janet has been in North Wales since 2016 and was appointed assistant curate in Aber-Morfa Mission Area in 2020.

"I have always felt a strong connection with Wales and spent a lot of my childhood in Rhyl, and it was during a holiday at Towyn that I started to feel this is where I was meant to be," said Janet.

"I am looking forward to the role as Priest-in-Charge based in St. Mary’s, Towyn, and working with the other churches within the diocese."

Janet is married to Peter, and they have six daughters and eight grandchildren

Bishop Gregory said: "I am delighted to be able to affirm all the good work that Janet has been doing with the Towyn congregation by appointing her to an enlarged role in ministry.

"Janet has won the respect of everyone by her hard-working and caring approach to social needs."