A new priest has been licenced in the Deeside Mission Area to look after the communities of Shotton and Garden City in Flintshire.

The Revd Paul Wheeler was licenced by the Bishop of St Asaph in a special service at St Ethelwold’s Church in Shotton yesterday (Sunday 27 April, 2025).

Paul trained for ministry at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, and was ordained in 2019. He served his curacy at St Mary’s Church in Nantwich, before moving to the Diocese of St Asaph in September 2022 to be the priest for Hope, Penyffordd, and Penymynydd.

Ahead of the service, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron said: “It is good to welcome Paul to this new ministry in the diocese. Paul will be well-suited to his new churches and communities, and I look forward to what priest and people will achieve together in the coming years.”

Before ordination, Paul worked for O2, where he served as a workplace representative on secondment to the Communication Workers Union, supporting staff across a range of issues. He enjoys reading, keeping active at the gym, playing games, and the occasional Netflix drama. He is passionate about offering worship that draws on the richness of the Church’s tradition while being accessible and meaningful in today’s world.

Paul said: “It’s a real joy to be joining the communities of Shotton and Garden City. I’m looking forward to getting to know people, building relationships, and working together to deepen our faith and service. My hope is that the churches will continue to be places of welcome, worship, and encouragement for all.”