New vicar for newly merged parish of Eglwysilan and Caerphilly

A new vicar has been ordained for the merged parish of Eglwysilan and Caerphilly.

Revd Mark Greenaway-Robbins, who has spent the past eight-and-a-half years as Rector of St James’ Anglican Church in Vancouver, was made Rector of Eglwysilan and Caerphilly by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan on January 27, at St Martin’s Church.

Originally from Cornwall, Revd Greenway-Robbins served as curate in Redruth, West Cornwall before serving as Team Vicar in Rhiwbina for four-and-a-half years. He moved to Canada in 2006.

The new Rectorial benefice of Eglwysilan and Caerphilly has been created by the merger of the two parishes of Eglwysilan and Caerphilly. Mark takes over from the Revd Sue Rees in Eglwysilan who left last year after five years service. In Caerphilly he takes over from Canon Robert Donkin who retired last year after six years service in the parish.

Revd Greenway-Roberts returns to Wales with his wife Ruth, their two children Simeon, 12, and Anastasia, 7, and their two rescue dogs, a Newfoundland cross and a German Shepherd cross.

He said: “I have only ever served in team ministries, it is in my comfort zone, and I know they can be incredibly effective in terms of ministry and mission.

“With the creation of this new Rectorial benefice, I look forward to working within a ministry area, with the laity and the clergy serving together and complimenting each other and being enriched by each other’s ministry. My experience is that it is an incredibly satisfying and life giving way of doing Church.”

Before reading Theology at Oxford University, he spent a year studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and six months working as a volunteer with the Israeli Ambulance Service.

He also worked in an Anglican Chaplaincy in Paris for a year before spending three years studying to become a priest at Queen’s College, Birmingham. It was during this time that he met his wife Ruth through her mother Helen – who was one of his fellow students.

“I did it the other way round to most people and met my mother-in-law before my wife,” explained Mark, who is delighted to be returning to the Llandaff Diocese.

“It was incredibly challenging and rewarding work at St James’ Anglican Church in Vancouver and I am grateful for the privilege of having served there. It was a difficult neighbourhood and some of my parishioners were homeless and literally slept in the church porch.

“The time had come for a new challenge for both myself and my family – Ruth, my wife, a professional musician is aiming to retrain as a nurse – and we are all looking forward to the next chapter in our lives.”

Dr Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, said: “I am delighted that Mark Greenaway-Robbins has returned to the diocese. He has served as a team vicar in Whitchurch and he is a deeply prayerful, pastoral, caring priest who will bring his considerable gifts as he leads the new Rectorial Benefice of Eglwysilan and Caerphilly.”