New vicar installed at Christ Church

A new team vicar has been installed at Christ Church, Newark, at a service of celebration marking a new phase of ministry for the church and community in the area.

The Rev Paul Franklin was licensed by the Bishop of Sherwood, the Right Rev Tony Porter, and installed by the Archdeacon of Newark, the Ven David Picken.

Mr Franklin’s wife, the Rev Liz Franklin, was commissioned with permission to officiate in the Southwell and Nottingham Diocese.

Mr Franklin grew up in Nuneaton and after university and teacher training moved to Whitstable, where he worked for ten years as a youth minister for an Anglican team of six churches, leading a weekly youth congregation of 30 teenagers.

He moved to Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, to train as a vicar, where he met his wife, who was also in ordination training. They married in 2013 before taking up positions as curates in South East London.

Mrs Franklin is originally from Suffolk and has a background in social work, including mental health and working with people with learning difficulties and elderly and vulnerable adults.

"Newark feels like a natural fit."

Her ministry to Christ Church and the diocese will be on a voluntary basis.

Mr Franklin said they had already received a warm welcome from the church community.

“Newark feels like a natural fit for us,” he said.

“We look forward to working closely with the community as we pray and plan the things we need to do as we seek to get to know it more deeply.”