Interregnum Update
(To download the Invitation click here).
Rev Mary’s Licensing Service: 7pm Mon 27th July
We are delighted to invite everyone resident in the Parish of Seal, and with connections, to attend our new Priest-In-Charge, Rev Mary Styles’, Licensing Service, to be held at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, Seal, at 7pm on Monday evening, 27th July.
Please note that this service will be recorded and streamed live on Zoom for friends of Mary who cannot attend in person.
Both the Bishop and Archdeacon of Tonbridge, and the Area Dean of Sevenoaks will be in attendance, and representatives from all our local schools, Scouting organisations, our Councillors, Seal care residences, businesses and other bodies, are invited.
The service will include procession and commissioning, and is likely to be very well attended and lively, as well as being personally meaningful to Rev Mary.
Please allow sufficient time to park at the Seal Recreation ground car park, 5 minutes walk away. Parking at the church and in the lane will be reserved for visiting clergy. Or, for drop off in the case of disability access please do so near the lychgate. Please can you be seated in church in good time.
There will be a collection for linked parishes in Harare, Zimbabwe, Kondoa and Mpwapwa in Tanzania, and the Lutheran church in Estonia. We will have envelopes available so cash gifting would be most welcome where possible. We also have a card reader and QR code available for alternative gifting methods.
Savoury snacks, cold soft drinks and a Prosecco reception will be available in Church after this service.
All are very welcome and cordially invited to join us.
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.
