The retirement of The Reverend Canon John Coldwell, Vicar of St Ninian’s in Douglas is announced.
Canon Coldwell has been Vicar in the Parish for the last fourteen years since 2009 and has additionally been the Canon of St Patrick at Cathedral Isle of Man since 2016. He has served in the Diocese in other roles since 1999, serving on many diocesan committees and holding the post of Chair of the House of Clergy on two occasions. As well as serving the Parish of St Ninian’s John has also held the role of Director of Communications for the Diocese, the post of Chair for a local charity and reflecting his passion for motorcycle racing has served the Southern 100 Club as Chaplain and provided support to the Manx Grand Prix and TT Races. This will be effective from 31 December 2023, with Canon Coldwell’s final Sunday in the parish to be 24 September, followed by a period of sabbatical leave.
Bishop Peter writes:
John’s ministry at St Ninian’s over the past fourteen years has been marked by care for the people of his parish as well as by outreach into the wider island and diocese through chaplaincy to the Southern 100 Club and to the motorcycling community, both resident and visiting. I thank him for his gift of representing the gospel in an accessible way to so many people beyond our worshipping congregations. His ministry to the bereaved has also been especially appreciated. As our Director of Communications, he has maintained our profile at the level of the national Church of England, and has overseen the development of the diocesan website and social media platforms. I am pleased to have been with Canon John and his congregation on the Sunday on which his retirement was announced, and I invite us all to share with the people of St Ninian’s in giving thanks for John’s long and fruitful ministry and to pray for him and Maria and their family. Pray too for the Parish of St Ninian, Douglas, as we begin the process of seeking a new priest.
