The Diocese of Carlisle – the Church of England in Cumbria – today announces that the Venerable Lee Townend, the Archdeacon of Carlisle, has decided to step away from his post to enable him and Liz, his wife, to spend more time with their family.

Archdeacon Lee joined the Diocese in early 2017, from his then position as Diocesan Missioner in the Diocese of Derby.

He has had archidiaconal responsibility for four deaneries in the Diocese – Carlisle, Penrith, Brampton and Appleby – as well as taking on the role of Strategic Development Officer - drawing alongside and supporting newly-formed mission communities as part of the county’s ecumenical God for All vision and strategy – and serving as a trustee of the Carlisle Diocesan Board of Finance.

From October 2020, he also took on further responsibility, serving as Priest in Charge of Barton, Pooley Bridge, Martindale and Watermillock.

He said: “We have enjoyed our time in Cumbria but since the end of lockdown Liz and I have been praying and thinking through where God is calling us to. We have recently become grandparents to two baby grandsons and have older parents who we’ve hardly seen in the last six years due to distance. Therefore, we felt that God was nudging us to move back to our home county and be available for family in the short term.

“Our decision wasn’t taken lightly as we both enjoy our roles here but decided that we must follow the calling of God.

“I will probably take a year out of full time stipendiary ministry before thinking of the next role (unless God points me to something He wants me to take on before then) and Liz will be spending a lot of her time with the grandchildren and our parents. If appropriate I will offer to help out in some of the local churches near to where we live.

“We are excited to be going back home and are looking forward to making over our house and possibly putting an extension on it. We are also looking forward to being able to catch up with all our extended family but, of most importance from our prayerful thinking, our joy will be in being able to see much more of our grandchildren as they grow and our parents in their old age.

“Covid has given many of us the chance to re-evaluate life and focus on what’s important in the now. We are very blessed to be in a position to step away for a short season in order to be nearer family before moving back into full time ministry in the future. For this blessing we are so thankful.

“We will miss the county and its beauty. We will miss the many people we care for in the parishes and Archdeaconry. The parish is the lifeblood and heart of the Anglican church and I’m so thankful to have been alongside you. It has also been a great privilege and pleasure to work ecumenically with so many able colleagues in our churches of all denominations. It has also been good to work and minister under Bishop James and I’m personally thankful to him for giving me the opportunity to serve here.”

Lee was ordained in 1998 and served his curacy in the Buxton Team Ministry. He served as Vicar and Assistant Rural Dean in the Canterbury Diocese from 2001 to 2008 and Vicar of All Saints’ Ilkley for four years. From 2012 he was Diocesan Missioner for the Diocese of Derby, including roles as ecumenical officer, rural officer and weddings officer.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, said: "It has been wonderful to work alongside Lee for nearly six years; he has been a valued member of our senior leadership team.

“There are many plates to spin as an Archdeacon and even more so as one with the extra responsibilities that come with being a Strategic Development Officer for the county’s ecumenical God for All vision. Yet Lee has always served the parishes of his Archdeaconry and the God for All vision with equal passion.

“I give thanks for Lee’s commitment to grow God’s Kingdom here in Cumbria during his time in ministry. He and his wife, Liz, will leave with our very best wishes and continued prayers as they spend time with their new grandchildren and in supporting their parents.”

The Diocese of Carlisle has drawn up interim cover from September 1st. Although Lee and Liz are remaining in Cumbria until the end of the year, Lee will fully step away from ministry with immediate effect to allow for interim cover to build on the work he has developed.

For more information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.