A NEW vicar has taken over at St Giles’ Church in Chollerton as part of an initiative to support rural communities.

The Rev. Sarah Lunn has moved to the Benefice of Chollerton in the Diocese of Newcastle after leaving her role as team rector of the Heart of Eden Team Ministry in Cumbria.

Originally from Cullercoats, Rev. Lunn is returning to the region where she grew up.

She said she was relishing the opportunity to get involved with the local community after taking up her new post last week.

“Whilst I’m still very new to the role, I’m looking forward to being alongside the local community and helping them on their journeys,” she said.

The appointment is part of the Diocese of Newcastle’s five-year vision called ‘growing church bringing hope’, which was launched in March last year.

The vision comprises of five strands, of which the rural strand is one. It aims to help tackle the difficulties faced by isolated rural communities.

Within five years, the ministry in rural, multi-parish benefices will have been reimagined, with simplifiedstructures, the appointment of lead/focal ministers and creation of new teams.

The appointment of the new vicar at Chollerton is part of achieving the vision.