It is with deep sadness that news reached us last weekend of the death of the Venerable Paul Bryer, Archdeacon of Dorking from 2014-19.
In an Ad Clerum to diocesan clergy yesterday, Bishop Andrew said, "Paul was warm hospitable, friendly, positive, calm, prayerful, missional, caring; a loving husband and father, and a great colleague too, who played a significant part in the life of our diocese, and whose friendship many of us came to value greatly".
With the exception of his latest post as Archdeacon of Cornwall, and his title post as assistant curate of St Stephen’s in Tonbridge, Paul spent his entire ministry in the Diocese of Guildford.
Following seven years as vicar of St Mary’s, Camberley (where he worked alongside Martin Breadmore – who he was delighted would succeed him as archdeacon), he was appointed vicar of St Paul’s, Dorking where he remained for 13 very happy years. Dorking was a very special place for the Bryer family. It was here that Paul, many years earlier, met and married Fiona; where Daniel, Naomi and Jonathan, their children, were raised; and where he spent his longest chapter in ministry. And the calling to Dorking continued beyond ministry at St Paul’s as he served as Rural Dean of Dorking and subsequently as Archdeacon of Dorking.
Bishop Paul and Acting Dean Stuart Beake both served alongside Paul as archdeacon colleagues. Bishop Paul says "Stuart and I were both blessed with an outstanding archdeacon colleague in Paul: deeply prayerful, exceptionally relational and very funny. Paul often said that he had three loves – faith, family and football – and it felt like he included the whole body of Christ in his family. As we give thanks to God for the gift of this warm, wise and inspirational brother, friend and colleague, we join in prayer for Fiona, Daniel (and his wife Nisha), Naomi and Jonathan, along with Paul's brother John (and wife Sue) at this very sad time for them”.
Details of Paul’s Thanksgiving service will be made available as soon as dates are known.