The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, is delighted to announce that Revd Dr Andy Murray, Vicar of Lawrence Weston and Avonmouth, has been appointed Dean of Priority Communities in the Diocese of Bristol.
Bishop Viv said: "I'm delighted that Andy is taking up this role and bringing all his experience and track record to enhance our work in priority communities across the Bristol Diocese. It is critical to our mission that we have well-resourced and flourishing churches in our priority communities.
"As part of our 'Transforming Church. Together' strategy - and core to our mission - we are making a significant financial investment in these communities. Having Andy to collaborate with and lead the network of these churches will ensure the positive impact of this work is transformative and sustainable."
Andy will take up the new role from 1st November 2023, in conjunction with being Vicar in Lawrence Weston and Avonmouth. In addition, the Diocese will recruit an Associate Vicar to ensure those parishes can continue their growth and life.
Andy comes to the role with a wealth of experience as the current Priority Communities Network Lead, which he took up in 2022.
Andy said: "I'm so pleased to be taking up this new role in the Diocese, which focusses on helping to enable the development and growth of ministry and mission in communities that have often been overlooked or under-resourced. Historically many of the labels given to these communities (i.e. low-income communities, areas of multiple deprivation, poor communities, deprived communities) reinforce a negative image or stereotype. However, the significant investment being made in these areas, as part of the TC.T vision, communicate something of the positive vision and ‘priority’ we give to seeing Kingdom growth in these communities. I am delighted to be part of this vision, working alongside church leaders and their teams as we discern together what resources and support will help enable sustainable good growth in their contexts."
"I have lived in Bristol for the past 13 years, 8 of which have been spent living and serving in Lawrence Weston and Avonmouth. I am passionate about helping our two churches deepen their relationship with Jesus and grow in confidence to share the Gospel through words and actions. At the heart of the vision has been the development of social justice ministries that engage with the challenges of isolation, poverty, confidence, and skills development, alongside developing leaders, growing church small groups, schools, and youth ministries, and families outreach. It is with great joy that I can continue living, and serving part-time, in Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston, alongside the Dean of Priority Communities role."
Andy is married to Emma who set-up and manages the Bristol Northwest Foodbank, where he also sits as Chair of the board. They have three grown-up children. Andy loves spending time in the outdoors, is a keen surfer, and makes hollow wooden surfboards as a hobby.