The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, has appointed Revd Jacqui Kean as vicar of the St Aldhelm’s Bedminster and St Paul’s Southville parish in South Bristol, after Jaqcui served her curacy there.
Jacqui will start her new position in June 2022 and she will be licensed by Bishop Lee in the summer.
The Bishop of Bristol said: “I am delighted at Jacqui’s appointment. She will bring a passion for mission and community engagement to both the churches of St Aldhelm’s Bedminster and St Paul’s Southville and great blessing to the communities they serve.
This is an important appointment for the diocese in South Bristol as the parish ministers during the pandemic and prepares to seize new opportunities for mission.”
The Revd Jacqui Kean said: "It has been a privilege to serve my curacy at St Aldhlem’s, Bedminster, and St Paul’s, Southville, and I am delighted to be appointed as the next vicar of this benefice.
The pandemic, though challenging, has created new opportunities to grow deeper in faith and take bolder steps in mission within this diverse and vibrant community. To continue to minister in these parishes is a great joy and responsibility, as together we discern God’s leading in mission and ministry in this part of South Bristol."
Jacqui was ordained in Bristol Cathedral after completing her theological training at St Mellitus College, London. Before ordination, she worked as a director for youth and community work at a church in North-East London, where she established Redbridge Street Pastors and served on the New Wine regional conference leadership team, overseeing the youth programme. Prior to this she managed a council youth and community centre and health project on a large housing estate in south Nottingham.
Jacqui is married to Rob, a primary school teacher, and they have two daughters who are eight and 15 years old. She enjoys Motown, food markets, art trails, and paddleboarding around the Harbourside.
The parish of St Aldhelm’s Bedminster and St Paul’s Southville serves part of the vibrant and popular BS3 area with its many independent shops, bakeries, restaurants, independent coffee shops and art theatre. But this area of Bristol also harbours social deprivation and homelessness. The churches seek to serve all people in the community and exist as places of outreach, prayer, worship and welcome.