A New Provost for St John’s Cathedral Oban
Today (Sunday 11th February 2018) it was announced that, subject to final checks, a new Provost has been appointed for St John’s Cathedral, Oban. The Provost of Oban is also the Rector of St James’ Ardbrecknish and a gathered congregation that meets at Kilbrandon.
Bishop Kevin says, “I am delighted to announce that we have a new Provost for the Cathedral – The Rev’d Margaret Campbell.
“The Vestry, myself and the Dean interviewed three very strong candidates any one of whom might have been appointed. We were unanimous that the Rev’d Margaret was the right person to become our next Provost and to take responsibility for St James Ardbrecknish and the gathered community at Kilbrandon.
“Margi, as she is known, has been ordained for 16 years, so has a wealth of Parish experience. Her present role is as Rector of Backwell in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and she is also Rural Dean of Portishead Deanery in that Diocese
“Margi and her husband James have, over recent years spent time in Argyll and The Isles and had already bought a house in the area for their eventual retirement, but they will obviously live in the rectory. James is an organist and music teacher and they have two adult sons. James is taking early retirement to allow their move to Oban. Before ordination, Margi was a music teacher, she grew up in a Church family and has sung in choirs all her life.
“Margi and James will both be at our Diocesan Synod and Conference day in March. We hope the Institution of the new Provost will be towards the end of May.
“We thank God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the whole process of discernment which has brought Margi to us.
“I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Margi and James to St John’s Cathedral, to Oban and to the Diocese.”
The Rev’d Margi Campbell writes, “It is with real joy and anticipation that I introduce myself to you, as together with my husband, we look forward to meeting everyone and beginning a new stage of our pilgrimage of discovery.
“I am married to James, an organist and music teacher and we have two grown-up boys: Ben – a research physicist and Tom- who is just completing his MA in Wildlife Filmmaking (filming his final project on Mull at the moment).
“I grew up in Kent in a church family, singing in the choir and running the youth group; before moving to Somerset and teaching music in a Primary School. I was heavily involved in our church’s children’s work before answering God’s call through Reader ministry to Ordination. Music and liturgy have been at the heart of all my parish and diocesan ministry, exploring how we can be both missional and welcoming in our worship. This was the topic of my Sabbatical in 2016 which first brought us to Argyll and Iona. Many years visiting Skye had revealed our deep love of the culture and music, landscape and spirituality of the Highlands – all of which God used to nudge us gently towards Argyll and The Isles as we opened our eyes and found ourselves to be at home.
“So now we come to share in the heritage of Moluag, Columba and all the generations of followers, as we seek ways of engaging and sharing the good news of Christ to those around us. I come, knowing that I have much to learn as I transfer all my experiences into the Scottish Episcopal Church- but do so with confidence because of the wonderfully warm welcome that we have already felt from those we have met.
“Soon we will be joining the worshipping life of St John’s Cathedral, St James Ardbrecknish, the gathered community at Kilbrandon, together with the Diocese and Province. I pray that all we will discover together will further the Kingdom promise of hope and expectation; opening many more hearts and minds to the love of God.”
We are delighted to announce that …..
