We are delighted to announce that Revd. Clare Hayns, currently Chaplain and Welfare Co-ordinator at Christ Church Oxford, has been appointed as the new Vicar of St Mary’s.  The date she takes up her appointment has still to be agreed but she and her family will be living in the Rectory.  

Clare writes:

I’m absolutely delighted to have accepted the offer to be the new Vicar of St Mary’s and to serve alongside you all in the communities of Iffley, Donnington and Rose Hill.  

I thought you might like to know a bit about me and my family. I was born in Edinburgh but grew up in rural Bucks, spending most of my early years riding ponies. My pre-ordination background is in Social Work where I worked for some years in London with homeless young people and with a drug and alcohol addiction service. When my children were young I ran an entertainments agency with my husband John, who is a charity executive, speaker and magical entertainer. 

I’m currently College Chaplain and Welfare Coordinator at Christ Church, which involves a great deal of pastoral work with students, as well as supporting staff. I’ve been in this role since 2015 and before that was a Curate in the Benefice of Blenheim, serving five churches from Woodstock to Yarnton.” 

We have three sons, who are all (just) adults. Micah (26) is an artist with a gallery and studio in Templars Square called Jungle – this is linked with a community transformation organisation called Cowley Collective. Sim (23) is a keen outdoor adventurer and is hoping to work for a Christian outdoor centre working with young people. Daniel (18) is at school in Woodstock and is taking his A Levels this summer, after which he’s hoping to study musical theatre, which has been his passion since he was six. We also have a cat called Eliza and a cockapoo called Layla.  

We are all very exciting about the move to St Mary’s and we very much look forward to it and to getting to know you all in due course.