The Tully Family

   David Tully - our Rector

1. Could you give some background about yourself and your family?
Roots, children, previous parishes etc.

I was brought up in Forest Hall, North Tyneside, in a faithful churchgoing family (one of 6 children). I went to the local C of E School in Benton, until the age of 8 when I went to the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle.
The Christian Union there was a massive influence on my life, for which I thank God. I remember hearing
Patrick Blair (then Rector of Chester-le-Street) in about 1971 at the Christian Union and also coming across Frank Nelsson.

   David & Christine

I met my wife Christine at Durham University in the Christian Union there, where I served on the executive
committee. We married straight after university and both trained as secondary school teachers – teaching in South Manchester. I was an ordinand from the age of 17, sponsored by Newcastle Diocese. Part of my calling was
struggling as a keen young Christian in my sleepy local parish church. God seemed to say “you have seen the needs in the North East David, you have a contribution to make in the churches in the region you love.”

I trained at Ridley Hall, Cambridge which was wonderful – I captained the Federation of 4 theological colleges’
football team.

I came back to Newcastle diocese in 1984 with a curacy at South Gosforth and then 4 years as curate in charge at Throckley. My first incumbency was at Whorlton (basically Westerhope and Chapel Park) where our children grew
up 1990 -2000.

Christine is the longest serving teacher at Emmanuel College, Lobley Hill, teaching Physics, she has always resisted being full time. She works 4 days a week so that she can share a day off with me on a
Wednesday.

   The Tully Family - Christine, Rachel , David, Jonathan, Claire

We have 3 children in their 20’s, all in the North East at the moment

Rachel who is 28 – lives in North Shields 2nd in the Maths dept. at Whitley Bay High – boyfriend Duncan

Jonathan who is 26 – completing this year his PhD in theoretical Physics at Durham – girlfriend Kristen

Claire who is 22 this month – coming to the end of her 4th year of Medicine at
Newcastle – boyfriend Ben

2. Why did you choose to apply for Chester-le-Street?

It will be a completely new and different challenge. I want to use my administrative and leadership skills in a way that is clearly required in Chester-le-Street. The parish is one that fits closely with my own tradition and background and I believe that I will be comfortable with its various worship styles.

3. Churchmanship?

I was brought up in a traditional middle of the road parish, although I supplemented that with also worshipping at Bethshan Pentecostal and Brunswick Methodist churches as a teenager.
I have been helped by the saner elements of the charismatic movement. I am fairly conservative in my theology and would probably be best described as an ‘open evangelical’.

4. Describe your 9 years at Low Fell.

I have been Rector of St John, Gateshead Fell for the last 9 years - a very mixed area socially, and that is reflected in the congregation. It is a friendly and very relaxed church.
I replaced Michael Hough, one of the 3 Gateshead vicars who tragically died on the A1 at Felton in May 1999.
In my time we have had a Parish Stewardship review, created back rooms, started Alpha courses, admitted children to communion, removed the pews to create a flexible space and begun a shared ministry team.

5. Any difficulties in leaving?

We have been very happy here and things are still going well. It was a surprise to many when I announced we were leaving. It is a lovely church, with many wonderful people.
I am not very good at saying farewell, so it will be a tricky time over the next couple of weeks.

6. And then there’s Newcastle United – a few words about being Chaplain there

I have served there for 17 years, through many ups and downs. I started with Kevin Keegan’s first full season as manager, when they were promoted. It is a serious, long term and delicate Christian ministry, with a strong
emphasis on pastoral care.
Some of the men will have heard me speak about my work about 6 years ago when I spoke to an inter-church men’s meeting at Burnopfield.
I am a life long ‘black and white’, but am sure it is appropriate to give up the chaplaincy in May, though with all the uncertainty over who will be the manager next season, I am having to wait till July when I hope to introduce a new Chaplain to the club.
70% of professional clubs in England have Chaplains. My equivalent at Sunderland is Stephen Taylor (who was of course curate at Chester-le-Street in the 1980s).


Looking forward to meeting you all and serving you. Thanks to those who have already helped us in practical ways with the Rectory.