Son of Ukrainian refugees takes up priest role in Peasedown churches
The son and grandson of Ukrainian refugees has been appointed as the new Associate Priest in a group of Somerset churches.
Revd Andrew Avramenko, who was born in Bath, takes up the role in the Church of England benefice known as the ‘St J’s Group’ – the collection of churches that come under the leadership of Revd Matthew Street in Peasedown St John, Wellow, Shoscombe and Foxcote.
Andrew, who previously worked as a B&NES Council employee helping to coordinate projects in the planning department such as the stabilisation of the Combe Down stone mines, said: “I’m looking forward to getting stuck in as the new Associate Priest in the St J’s Group. I’ve heard so many fantastic things about what the churches are doing in their local communities from running foodbanks to providing activities for children and young people, and from supporting community events to coordinating civic engagements on Remembrance Day each year.”
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Revd Avramenko will be a self-supporting Associate Priest — the ‘self-supporting’ bit means that he’ll fund his church ministry by working during the week as a Learning Support Assistant at St Gregory’s Catholic secondary school in Bath.
“The two roles wonderfully complement each other as supporting young people is very important to me,” added Andrew.
His surname means ‘Son of Abraham’. Andrew’s father and grandparents escaped from Ukraine at the end of World War II before settling near Bath as refugees.
There is a story on his other side of the family too though through his maternal grandparents. He is a related to Saint Newman, a priest in the Church of England who switched and became Cardinal Newman in the Roman Catholic Church, and also Sir Henry Morgan, a pirate working with the British in the 1600’s who became Governor of Jamaica.
Revd Matthew Street, said: “I am really looking forward to working with Andrew over the coming years as he takes on the role as our new Associate Priest. He has huge amounts of experience in working with others – whether that’s as a curate, a council employee, teaching assistant or campaigner for the rights of refugees.
“I know that Andrew will play an important role in our Christian mission to love, care and pray for those we work with.”
For details about the St J’s Group, visit the benefice website: www.stjsgroup.church, or contact the operations manager Rob Bubyer by emailing office@stjsgroup.church or calling 07973 972018.