AFTER seven years in his current role at Crofton parish, the Rev Dan Greenfield feels that the time is right for a new role.

Bishop Jonathan has now appointed him to be the new vicar of St Margaret’s Church in Southsea, taking over leadership from the Rev Fran Carabott.

Dan was ordained in June 2018 with his wife Jude, who has been team vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Rowner, since 2021. Meanwhile, Dan has been curate and then associate vicar of Crofton since, where he has focused particularly on the youth and children’s ministry that he has helped to rebuild since the Covid pandemic.

“I have had a fantastic time at Crofton, with such a strong and passionate team,” Dan says. “I am excited now to step into this new season of ministry in a very different context. Fran and the team at St Margaret’s have done such incredible work to pioneer a new congregation alongside refurbishing and developing the building to become a hub and safe space for the local community.”

St Margaret’s Church was planted out from St Jude’s Church, Southsea, in October 2017. Since then, it has grown to become a thriving congregation with a community Pantry, soft play area, and second-hand community shop hosted inside the church, and the building has gone through major repair and enhancement to become more sustainable and energy efficient.

“St Margaret’s felt like such a good fit for us,” says Dan. “A strong sense of mission in a multi-ethnic urban area. Although our last few years have been in suburban and outer-estate areas, both Jude and I have spent time in ministry in city settings and so it’s exciting to be back in that environment.

“There are challenges at St Margaret’s but there is also huge scope for developing ministry. Youth and children’s work here is thriving, and there’s opportunity to develop ministry for older people. I am looking forward to becoming part of this church’s story.”

Dan will be licensed as vicar of St Margaret’s Southsea on October 23^rd. His appointment was announced in Crofton and St Margaret’s on Sunday. It was also announced at St Mary the Virgin, Rowner, that Dan’s wife Jude would be leaving her role in the autumn.

Meanwhile the Rev Fran Carabott was recently announced as the new vicar of Cosham and Wymering, where he hopes to plant new congregations, building on his experience at St Margaret’s.