Here is a summary of recent appointments, resignations, retirements and deaths in the Diocese of Durham.
November 2025
Appointments
The Revd Craig Shaw, who has been a hospital chaplain in the Peterborough Diocese has been appointed as Associate Minister of Holy Trinity Darlington, subject to fulfilment of legal requirements.
The Revd Steve Edge, who has been Curate of Pelton and West Pelton has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Birtley and Lamesley. The licensing service will be held at St Andrew’s Lamesley early in the New Year.
The Revd Amanda Boyd, currently Curate in the Hillside Benefice is to be licensed there as SSM Associate Priest on 16 November 2025.
The Revd Hannah Richardson, currently Priest in Charge of Bensham and Teams has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Dunston St Nicholas with Christ Church. The licensing service will be held on Sunday 18 January at 4.00pm.
The Revd Michael Eaton-Wells, formerly Curate of Verwood St Michael and All Angels and Westmoors St Mary in the diocese of Salisbury was inducted as Vicar of Stanley, South Moor and Tanfield on 6 November. The service was held at St Andrew’s, Stanley.
The Revd Nick Green, currently Vicar of Walton St John, Chesterfield in the Diocese of Derby has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Stockton Christchurch. The licensing service will be held at St Chad’s on 11 January.
The Revd Anita Burke has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Christ Church New Seaham. The licensing service will be held on 25 November at 7.00pm.
Deaths
The Revd Geoffrey Webster
The Acting Bishop of Durham was saddened to hear of the death of the Revd Geoffrey Webster on 2nd November 2025. Born in July 1936, Geoffrey was ordained in St Alban’s Diocese in 1980, and came to Durham in 1982. He was Curate of Belmont 1982-1986, Rector of Gateshead Fell 1986-1994, Priest in Charge of Hamsterley 1994-1995, and finally Vicar of Hamsterley with Witton le Wear 1995-2002, when he retired. He held PTO in the Diocese 2002-2020.
In retirement he lived in Hartlepool, and his funeral will be at All Saints’ Stranton on 28th November at 1.00pm.
Please hold his family and friends in your prayers at this sad time.