The former Bishop of Paraguay presided over the service which saw the commissioning of the Rev’d. Michael Clarkson.
A choir was formed from singers from both congregations and special friend Canon Chris Sugden, who witnessed the formation of All Saints in 2006, was present with his wife Elaine. They had travelled from the UK for the occasion.
After the service the congregation was invited to a lunch which ASCA, Almancil’s community centre, had laid on in their dining room. This most welcome lunch exceeded all expectations.
The welcoming of Rev’d Michael marks a new chapter in the life of All Saints as he takes responsibility for the Almancil Congregation.
He and his wife Linda (an Olympic Triathlon champion!) bring many skills to the church and will be working closely with Father Paul Luckman who leads the Lagoa congregation of All Saints here in the Algarve.
Mike comes from a commercial background in the legal profession until he was ordained in 1989.
His life as a Priest has taken him to London where he Helped plant ‘St Barnabas, Kensington’ from Holy Trinity Brompton. Later he Helped plant ‘Oak Tree Anglican Fellowship’, Acton. From there to the Protestant Church in Oman and then to the Church of Our Saviour, in Charleston South Carolina. He holds a BA in English and History.
His wife Linda Represented Team USA in World Triathlon 2016-2018, Current Southeast USA Women’s Age Group Champion Nationally and World ranked in Triathlon.
They have lived in South Africa (twice), Netherlands, Oman, Germany, Turkey, UK (twice), and the USA.
They have two children and five grandchildren who live in the UK.