A NEW area dean is set to be appointed for Penarth and Barry at a special service this weekend.

On Sunday, September 18, the Revd. Andrew Peter James, priest in charge of the parish of St Andrew Major with Michaelston-le-Pit, will be licensed to serve in the role for the Penarth and Barry deanery.

The licensing of Revd. James will take place during Evensong at St Peter’s Church in Dinas Powys at 6pm.

The archdeacon of Llandaff, Peggy Jackson, will conduct the licensing.

The role of the area dean is to be a partner with the bishop and the bishop's staff in the mission and ministry of the deanery.

The area dean has a strategic role in the diocese which involves helping to shape planning, policy and deployment whilst drawing on their local knowledge.

Within the deanery, the area dean, in partnership with the lay chair, is the key person under God to provide vision, leadership and pastoral care.

The parishes covered by the Penarth and Barry deanery are All Saints in Barry, Cadoxton-juxta-Barry, Merthyr Dyfan, All Saints in Penarth, Penarth and Llandough, Penmark with Llancarfan and Llantrithyd, Porthkerry and Rhoose, St Andrew's Major and Michaelston-le-Pit, Sully, Wenvoe and St Lythans.

Representatives from the Diocese of Llandaff, clergy and lay representatives from the deanery as well as members of the congregations from the churches in Dinas Powys, Sully and Wenvoe will be at the service.

Refreshments will be served in the church hall after the service and all are welcome to attend.