Congratulations to the Revd Brian Harley who has clocked up an impressive milestone, celebrating 30 years of service at Shanklin United Reformed Church (URC) on the Isle of Wight.
He is now one of the longest serving URC ministers in one place.
Brian began his ministry in September 1994 after relocating from Cambridge with his wife Janet and their three children.
Before entering the ministry, Brian spent time working for Sun Alliance as an insurance sales underwriter in the City of London before training to become a minister at Westminster College in Cambridge.
Over the years, Brian has overseen many changes within the church, such as replacing traditional pews with comfortable seating to suit modern services.
The church now offers various community programs, including the monthly Encounter Cafe service, and “The Well,” which takes place every Wednesday and is where people gather to chat over a cuppa and a biscuit or a piece of cake.
This initiative also offers a welcoming space with crafts, activities, community talks, and refreshments, along with a “Healthy Half Hour” of gentle exercise led by a professional. In 2014, Brian also took on leadership of Ryde URc in Haylands.
Reflecting on his ministry, Brian shared that while he had hoped for many years of service when he started, he could not have predicted such a long and fulfilling journey.