The Bishop of Bristol and the patrons of the benefice – the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Church Society Trust – are delighted to announce that the Rev’d Bob Molton will be the next Rector of the Braydon Brook Benefice. He will be licensed after the school holidays.
Bob Molton says:
"As a Bristolian who trained for ordination at Trinity, Bristol, I am excited about a return to the Diocese after three years curacy in West Suffolk and am especially thrilled to join the Braydon Brook Benefice.
"Here in Suffolk, my curacy has been shared between a traditional parish church, All Saints, Newmarket, and a pioneering ministry in the village we live in as part of the Diocesan ‘Lightwave’ initiative. We have loved seeing God at work, bringing the various communities together and people to Himself. In Beck Row, this has been done through an informal breakfast church at an old pub repurposed as a community centre, a children’s club, a Bible study at our home and stand-alone events like holiday clubs, a Christmas Live Nativity, an end-of-lockdown craft fair and community meals, as well as sharing food and fun in our home and in those of our new friends here. I’ve also learned to play (better) pool, as that is a game many of the guys here enjoy. All Saints has been a source of loving fellowship and mutual growth as we have all shared together in deepening our friendship with God through lively Bible study and prayer groups, as well as Sunday gatherings and outreach activities – some of which have been linked, excitingly, back into Beck Row.
"Before training for C of E ministry, I taught Humanities in Cornwall and Suffolk, and served as a Headmaster and then a joint Director with my wife, Dee, in international schools in West Africa. Dee has been a French and English teacher and is now working as an editor and translator. We have two wonderful adult children. Church work started for me in Brest, France in 1994 where Dee and I worked with France Mission (now part of Perspectives) and pastoral ministry has always been a big part of my heart.
I am delighted to have this opportunity join you all, to share what God is doing in Braydon Brook."
Bishop Viv said "I look forward to welcoming Bob to the Diocese of Bristol and Braydon Brook Benefice. Bob’s experience as a Headmaster, and curacy in a pioneering rural context suit him well for ministry across these six villages and developing connections with the schools. I would like to thank all those who have served the churches so faithfully during the vacancy, and who will welcome Bob into the team."