Interregnum Update

19 April 2026 – a new Vicar for Seal!

Update 23rd April – Mary’s licensing service/ceremony will be on Monday 27th July at 7.00pm. Details to follow

We are very pleased to share the following announcement from Bishop Jonathan regarding our new vicar:

“House for Duty Priest for the Parish of St Peter and Paul, Seal

The Bishop of Rochester is delighted to announce that The Rev’d Dr Mary Styles is to be appointed as Priest in Charge for the parish of St Peter & St Paul, Seal.

Mary served her curacy in Rome in the Diocese in Europe, and has since served as Rector in 2 multi-parish benefices, first in Somerset and currently in the Glem Valley Benefice, Suffolk.

Mary writes:

“I very much look forward to prayerfully working with the people of the Parish of Seal as we discern together how we might grow in depth of faith, diversity and number of congregation, and Spirit inspired mission.

Although sad to be leaving my current role, I am looking forward to seeing where God leads us in Seal, to exploring this stunning part of Kent and spending more time with my family.”

Archdeacon Nick is delighted to welcome Mary to the Tonbridge Archdeaconry and looks forward to the gifts and insight she will bring to her new role. Nick commends us to hold Mary in our prayers as she prepares for this new chapter in her ministry, and to remember the Glem Valley Benefice as they bid her farewell and begin their own season of transition.

The licencing of Mary is planned for late July and we look forward to welcoming Mary as she moves into the Vicarage ahead of this date.

This appointment is subject to the necessary Diocesan checks.”

23 February 2026

We haven’t forgotten to put updates in don’t worry we are still searching. As soon as there is news we can share, we will!

21 January 2026

Just to let you know that there have not been any applications for the position as of today and that we are extending the advert again. We’ll announce any news here as soon as there is any.

21 November 2025

We been advertising for a new vicar recently as you may know. The deadline for applications has just passed. The Archdeacon tells us that there was interest and discussions about the vacancy, but sadly we had no applications. So the advert has been extended. We don’t realistically expect a lot to happen until after Christmas as it is so busy and so the new application deadline is in the new year.

The Parish Profile is publicly available still which describes everything about the post, along with the adverts which are here and here. Please do have a read to familiarize yourself with them. We will announce an update in the New Year.