TEN months after the previous vicar moved on a new Vicar has been appointed to lead the spiritual life of Otley Parish Church.

The Revd Aaron Kennedy was previously Associate Vicar and Pioneer for Community Development and Mission at St Mary’s Church, Battersea, London. He was formally admitted into his new post on September 24, 2022 in a service presided over by the Right Reverend Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds.

Revd Kennedy, 40, is married to Grace and they have two children aged four years-old and one-year-old. He originally comes from Northern Ireland.

When asked what he was looking forward to in moving to Yorkshire and taking on this role Revd Kennedy said: "We are absolutely delighted to have moved to Otley as a family, for so many reasons. We fell in love with the church community at Otley Parish Church from the off and have found such a warm welcome – from offers of hospitality, to help with practical things around our new house. This community of Christ-followers really are a fantastic bunch! Of course, Otley is surely as close to the platonic ideal of a market town as you are likely to find anywhere and having the Chevin on our doorstep is a huge privilege, as is having easy access to the wonderful dales. We very much look forward to getting to know everyone in the coming months and years."

And on his vision for the people of Otley Parish Church and the town of Otley he added: "I was invited to take the role of vicar of Otley Parish Church to work with the PCC to deepen our discipleship to Jesus, to develop the work around children and young people, and to reach out to the community to build the common good. Wonderfully, we are not starting at zero on any of these issues but have a great foundation to build on. But first things first: Jesus is our not-so-secret sauce, so while I foresee exciting developments in the life of our church, I’ll be working in sometimes less visible and flashy ways to begin with, so that long-term there will be good fruit for all to see.

"Otley Parish Church is working out what it means to exist for the benefit of those who are not yet its members. So, please come along and say hello. Our main Sunday service is at 10.30am and is either an all age service or has children’s ministries for each age group. You are most welcome"