USK has become the first ministry area in the Diocese of Monmouth to be formally inaugurated.

The Bishop of Monmouth, Rt Revd Richard Pain, inducted Revd Kevin Hasler as ministry area leader in a service at St Mary’s church on Sunday evening.

The Revd Graham Opperman and Revd Pamela Love were licensed as members of the clergy team, and churchwardens and lay leaders were commissioned for their role in the ministry area.

Ministry areas are a new structure in the Church in Wales. Rather than expecting one vicar to minister to an increasing number of separate parishes, churches in a ministry area will have a leadership team and a ministry area council, and will work together sharing resources where appropriate.

The Usk ministry area consists of nine parishes in and around Usk: Usk with Gwehelog, Gwernesney and Llangeview, Llanbadoc, Llangwm Isaf and Llangwm Uchaf, Llangybi with Coed-y-Paen, Llanllowel, Llantrisant, Tredunnoc and Wolvesnewton.

Revd Hasler said: “Covering some 30 square miles of rural Monmouthshire, with nine parishes and 10 church buildings with 12 services each week, the new Usk ministry area is going to be a busy place.”

Bishop Richard added:“The formation of the Usk ministry area is a significant step in the life of the diocese as it marks the beginning of a new structure that should enable us to resource the future church.”

The Archdeacon of Monmouth, Ven Ambrose Mason, said: “We have been working towards the establishment of ministry areas across the diocese for some years and I’m delighted that the first one to be commissioned is for those parishes in and around Usk.”