DR Mark Clavier is to be the new residentiary canon at Brecon Cathedral, it was announced this morning.

Mark, 46, spent 13 years serving parishes in Maryland and North Carolina before moving to Britain nearly nine years ago.

While researching the idea of delight for his PhD, he served for three years as a “house for duty priest” in former mining villages in County Durham and subsequently two years as priest-in-charge of three churches at Steeple Aston, North Aston and Tackley in the diocese of Oxford.

In 2012, he moved to Cardiff to become the dean of residential training at the former St Michael’s Theological College, where he was responsible for overseeing the formation of future stipendiary clergy for the Church in Wales.

Between 2014 and 2016, he also served as the acting principal during St Michael’s transition towards becoming St Padarn’s Institute. Afterwards, he returned to Oxford to be the vice principal and director of pastoral studies at St Stephen’s House.

Although Mark originally hails from South Carolina, he enjoys dual citizenship and has close family living outside of Carmarthen. He has published three books, including Stewards of God’s Delight: a short book on the ministry that arose from the talks he gave at the 2015 St David’s ordination retreat.

Mark has a 17-year-old son, Paul, and is engaged to be married in September to Sarah, who grew up in North Wales and has a doctorate in 17th-century Welsh history. Mark is an avid outdoorsman and has trekked in Norway and Iceland and has also spent countless hours exploring the Beacons.

“I have had enormous affection for Brecon ever since I first visited with my family. I’ve since been back a number of times, usually during my walks, and am looking forward to becoming a part of the cathedral and town communities. I am also excited about returning to pastoral ministry and especially to working alongside the dean and chapter in ‘equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ (Eph. 4.12)’. I see a great deal of potential for growing that ministry in Brecon and look forward to discussing how we can do that collaboratively.”