Here is a summary of recent appointments, resignations, retirements and deaths in the Diocese of Durham.
We welcome people to new roles in the Diocese
The Revd John Swinhoe, currently Priest in Charge of Thornaby North in the Diocese of York, has been appointed Vicar of Auckland St Helen. The service of Collation and Induction by the Bishop of Beverley will be held on 22 October 2026.
The Revd Hannah Raitt, currently Interim Urban Pioneer Minister in the Benefice of Bankfoot and Bowling in the Diocese of Leeds, has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Easington, Easington Colliery and Hawthorn. The Licensing service will be held in September.
The Bishop of Durham looks forward to licensing Revd Helen Gheorgiu Gould as Director of Interim Ministry Training at Cranmer Hall alongside Revd Sarah Heslop as Chaplain to St John’s College, University of Durham, at a service to be held on Tuesday 6 October.
We give thanks for those changing their roles within the Diocese
The Revd Becky Reeve, currently Priest in Charge, will be Collated and Inducted as Vicar of Hartlepool St Aidan and St Columba on 1 November 2026.
The Revd Bethany McNeeley, currently Curate of Usworth Holy Trinity, has been appointed Priest in Charge of Hartlepool St Hilda and Assistant Curate of Hartlepool Holy Trinity. Bethany will be licensed on 26 November 2026.
The Revd Canon Adrian Gatrill, Lead Chaplain for Durham Constabulary, has been appointed Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations. He starts full-time in this role on 1 October, having served in an acting capacity for the last year.
The Revd Canon Danie Lindley, currently Vicar of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook, starts in her new role of IME2 and First Incumbent Enabler on 1 October 2026. Please pray for Danie as she develops this work.
The Revd John Hinton, currently SSM Curate of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook will be licensed as SSM Curate of Hillside (Lobley Hill and Marley Hill) on 4 October 2026.
The Revd John Mayes, currently SSM Curate of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook will be licensed as SSM Associate Minister of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook on 11 October 2026.
We say farewell to those moving on to their next chapter
The Revd Paul Arnold, currently Vicar of Stockton on Tees St Paul has been appointed as Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Bridlington Christ Church with Bessingby and Ulrome in the Diocese of York. Paul will be licensed to his new role on 21 October. Please be praying for Paul as he leaves, and the parish as they prepare for a vacancy.
The Revd Louise Bryson, currently Curate of Greatham St John the Baptist and Seaton Carew Holy Trinity has been appointed as Associate Priest in the Benefice of St Herbert with St Stephen; St Elizabeth Harraby; Upperby (held in plurality) in the Diocese of Carlisle. Louise will be taking up her new role on 13 October. Please be praying for Lou as she moves.
Canon Ron Metcalfe RIP
The Bishop of Durham was saddened to learn of the recent death of the Revd Canon Ron Metcalfe.
Born in 1941, he trained for ordination at Edinburgh Theological College, 1967-1969, and then served in the York Diocese between 1969-2000. He was curate of Saltburn (1969-1972), Priest in Charge of Crathrone and Diocesan Youth Officer (1973-1977), Diocesan Adult Training Officer (1978-1988) and finally Canon Residentiary at York Minster and Diocesan Secretary for Mission and Ministry (1988-2000).
In 2000, he moved to the Carlisle Diocese as Vicar of Kendal, a post he held until he retired in 2007. In retirement he moved to Darlington, and held PTO in the Diocese of Durham 2008-2021.
His funeral is at All Saints’ Crathorne (TS15 0BB), where he served his first Incumbency, on Monday 28th September at 2.00pm
Please pray for Ron’s widow and all who mourn his death at this sad time.