Throughout June, the Diocese of Bristol celebrated the licensing of several curates stepping into new roles of leadership and service. These moments mark significant transitions in ministry – whether taking on greater responsibility as Curate in Charge, beginning a new chapter in a different context or being licensed as Associate Ministers following the completion of curacy training.
Each service has been a joyful occasion, affirming the gifts and callings of those who continue to serve faithfully across our diocese.
The Revd Christian Acacio Saguyan was commissioned as Curate in Charge for the Woodbridge Group of Churches. Christian was licensed by Associate Archdeacon, the Revd Adam Beaumont, at All Saints Church, Garsdon on 8th June 2025.
Christian was ordained at Bristol Cathedral after training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. Formerly a Pentecostal pastor, he pioneered ethnic minority church plants and worked to combat homelessness while studying Applied Theology at Oxford. Now a curate and UKME vocations champion in the Diocese of Bristol, he’s passionate about supporting others in ministry.
Christian said:
“I am looking forward to relying on the Holy Spirit more and more as I take this responsibility. I feel so humbled and privileged to be the Curate in Charge of the Woodbridge Group of Churches. I am grateful for the trust given to me by the Bishop of Bristol and the Bishop of Swindon, and ultimately God, to care for our six churches in North Wiltshire. I hope that I will be able to use this occasion to guide and encourage our churches to create opportunities for outreach where we could express the gospel through our gifts of hospitality, generosity and friendship, and make alive the parishes with the glow of God’s love.”
Revd Adam Beaumont said:
"It has been a real joy to welcome Christian into a new chapter of ministry in the Woodbridge Group of Churches. As Curate in Charge Christian's gifts of care and wisdom, alongside his deep and profound faith will bring a great deal to the transformation of those communities as they follow and serve together. It is going to be exciting to see how they grow in God's mission together in the coming year, and my prayers will be with them."
The Revd Melanie Griffiths was licensed as Associate Minister for St Peter's Lawrence Weston, and Avonmouth Benefice. Melanie was licensed by the Archdeacon of Bristol, Venerable Becky Waring, at St Peter’s Church, Lawrence Weston on 5th June 2025.
Melanie started her ministry as an Accredited Lay Worker, licensed in 1992 in Peterborough Diocese. She has been at St Peter's Lawrence Weston and St Andrews Avonmouth since 2016, moving there when Andy Murray became vicar. Ordained in 2021, her calling is very much about reaching out to the local community.
Melanie said:
“My calling to this sort of community goes way back to reading David Sheppard's book 'Bias to the Poor' in 1982. It is wonderful to see God's timing on everything, and a privilege to serve these communities as part of a wonderful team.”
Two licensing services took place in the Bishop of Bristol’s Chapel, Winterbourne on 19th June 2025 conducted by the Revd Canon Simon Taylor, Director of Mission and Ministry Support in the Diocese of Bristol.
The Revd Sarah Matthews was licensed as Associate Minister for Easton Christian Family Centre (also known as Holy Trinity with St Gabriel St Lawrence and St Jude, Easton).
Sarah is an IT professional working four days a week for the University of Bristol, where she supports the Children of the 90s research project by helping to manage and maintain their data. She has also completed a four-year curacy at Easton Christian Family Centre, serving one day a week and on Sundays in a self-supporting capacity.
Sarah said:
"I have had the most amazing curacy at Easton Christian Family Centre and want to thank all the wonderful people who I have been serving alongside with for their support, prayers and encouragement, especially to David as my training incumbent. I am so pleased to be continuing to join in with what God is doing in East Bristol and especially within ECFC as their Associate Minister."
The Revd Josh Bradshaw was licensed as Assistant Curate for the St Nicholas Bristol Bishop’s Mission as well as for the Benefice of St Mary Shirehampton.
Joshua said:
“I am excited for this new season to be coming alongside the beautiful outreach of St Mary's to the people of Shirehampton as I continue to develop in my sense of calling towards priority communities and those on the margins.”
These appointments reflect the diversity, depth, and dedication of those called to serve in the Diocese of Bristol. We give thanks for each of them and pray for their flourishing in the coming months.