“My next job is to work out how to turn the lights on and off,” says Reverend Nathanael Hayler, the new rector of Winchelsea, Icklesham and Pett chatting in St Thomas’ as the sun goes down.
It’s just over a week since church was packed for the official ceremony marking his new position and the church lights are on a very long list of things to learn about. “I have received the most warm welcome from town folk and people in the villages, as well as all the church people in the parishes. So many names to remember!”
This is his first role as priest in charge. At 27 he is considerably younger than many of his parishioners. So how is he going to approach being the new rector? “By being myself. There’s no other answer to that really. Just to be myself. To trust that I’ve had the training that I need to be in this place, but also realising the church is for all people and all generations and those serving it must reflect that as well.”
He says he is part of a new generation of priests coming up. “I am different, but that’s not a bad thing. The church is moving and changing and growing, and I’m part of that.”
That also means bringing younger people into the church, he says. “It absolutely is. But I must say the answer to that is not having young priests. That’s a bit of a myth, but I think there is a sense of younger people identifying with the church when they see people in leadership who are younger themselves. Or at least young in spirit!”
Reverend Hayler, who comes to Winchelsea after training in Northumberland, says the move is the right thing to do now. “I’m amazed by the landscape, the history, the places, and the people. Being inquisitive about what comes next is what has driven me down here. I’m also closer to friends and family who live in the south.”
As well as Winchelsea, the new rector now looks after the parishes of Icklesham and Pett. “New places and yes it is overwhelming. Taking my first service last Sunday did feel like the start of beginning to become embedded in the community.”
A new job. A new home. New responsibilities. Does he feel supported? “The job is part of my own vocation as a single young person in ministry, but there were so many members of the clergy who came to the ceremony to say hello so it’ll be about getting to know those people and finding friends and colleagues who live locally.”
Its not just about church life too. “I’m very keen to do evening classes and explore the area. I’m a keen baker and a cook, which is difficult when you live on your own because you always then have to eat it. So I enjoy hosting people around for tea and dinner.”
And of course his dog Poppy. “She has been my companion for the last four years since I began my ministry. The dog walks are a bit muddy so we’re both looking forward to the spring sunshine. I loved the big skies in Northumberland, but there are big skies here too.”
Does anything else remind him of Northumberland? “Dungeness power station when you look out across the bay. Yes really. If you squint. it looks like Bamburgh Castle.”
Image Credits: James Stewart , Natasha Robinson .