Mary’s first post, after being ordained, was as a curate at Carterton. Before that she was a maths teacher before she trained for the ministry. She was at Milham Ford School, Oxford, for a year and also taught in London and Bristol.
At the time of her ordination (one of the first women) she felt that women priests were more accepted in the Church of England these days. Mrs Carney, who has three grown-up children, added: “I think there is still some wariness from some people. But I think women bring fresh insights into Christianity.”
In September of 2001, Mary was inducted into the Ray Valley group at Islip by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher. She covered the parishes of Islip, Noke, Woodeaton, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Oddington, Ambrosden, Merton, Piddington, Blackthorn, Fencott and Murcott. Before becoming rector of the new group she was an assistant minister at Harwell and Chilton, with special responsibility for Chilton.
Following her retirement in full-time ministry we were very happy to welcome Mary to the congregation at St Bartholomew’s and having her help in the ministry team and being able to enjoy her sermons (55 of which are recorded here). Mary finally fully retired and left the Witney area in August 2025. We will miss her very much indeed. Thank you Mary
