SPECIAL SERVICES for SAME-SEX COUPLES - a statement of welcome and invitationOur churches have a long-standing tradition of inclusion and welcome, which we believe reflects the love of God for all people. We therefore rejoice that the Church of England has finally agreed that same-sex couples may celebrate their love with a special service in church. At the same time, we recognise with sorrow that this change has taken so long to come about and those for whom it comes too late. We look forward to holding these services as soon as they are officially approved, and following endorsement from our respective parish church councils. We expect this to take place in the next few months, and invite any couples who wish to hold a service to get in touch with us. With best wishes and prayers, The Rev’d James Hutchings, Vicar of St Mary, Barnes and Rector of the Barnes Team Ministry The Rev’d Stephen Stavrou, Team Vicar of St Michael & All Angels, BarnesNovember 2023
Rev'd James Hutchings, our new RectorRevd James Hutchings was appointed in July 2019 to be Team Rector of Barnes and Vicar of St Mary’s Barnes, in the Deanery of Richmond and Barnes. James was previously Team Rector of Littleham-cum-Exmouth with Lympstone, and Rural Dean of Aylesbeare, in the Diocese of Exeter. He previously served in other parishes in the same diocese.James is the youngest of 5 children and was brought up and nurtured as a Christian in a Hampshire village. He graduated from Exeter University (Economics) and lived in London for 22 years before moving to Devon when he was ordained. He worked in London initially in banking for Barclays and Kleinwort Benson. He then worked in the voluntary sector running the cross-parliamentary Future of Europe Trust and was latterly Regional Director of the Shaw Trust, a national disability charity. Along the way James has been a local councillor and parliamentary candidate. His faith grew as an active member of St Leonard Streatham where he was involved in setting up the Spires homelessness centre, and at St Mary Twickenham and he was ordained in 2006.James is married to Alice who was a solicitor, lectured at the College of Law in Guildford and was Administrator for the Anglican chaplaincy at Exeter University. They have 3 children: Ben is a graphic designer working for a firm of architects in central London and living with his girlfriend Susie near Finsbury Park; Ollie graduated in Human Geography from Reading University and works for the online bank Monzo on their recruitment team, living in Hackney; Sarah graduated from Cardiff University in summer 2022 in English Language and Linguistics, and is currently living at the rectory as she trains to be a primary school teacher.Alice and James enjoy the opportunities offered living in Barnes to go into central London for a variety of culture, and the local environment and amenities in Barnes, notably the common, the river and the local cafes, pubs & shops, community groups and cinema. James says “Barnes is a great place to live, and it is stimulating to be at St Mary’s which lies at the heart of that community. The challenge is to preserve and enhance that sense of community in an inclusive way, as we share the love of God for all as shown to us in Jesus Christ”.
