Dear Friends,
It is with mixed emotions that I announce I will be leaving the Benefice to take up the new role of Canon Missioner at Canterbury Cathedral. The last ten years have been a very special time. I have loved being your parish priest. It has been an honour and a privilege and I thank you for all your support, kindness and patience over the years. I will miss you very much. But it is also time for me to move on
The role I will be taking up at Canterbury is a new one for the Cathedral and combines pastoral care of the staff and congregations with missional outreach to the local, national and international community, along with sharing in the full liturgical life of the Mother Church to the Anglican Communion. It is an exciting opportunity for me which brings together all my past experience: as a virger at St Paul’s Cathedral, Chaplain of an Oxbridge College, expertise in spirituality and depth of ministerial experience gained here in the Benefice and Deanery.
As you can imagine this will be a big move for all of us. Jonathan will continue as Dean of Divinity at Magdalen College until the end of the academic year and then will explore new opportunities as priest, musician, academic and writer in Canterbury. We are at the moment exploring the different schools in the area for Katie and Thomas. Luckily we have been given a large Edwardian house in the Precincts that has a garden for Flossie and Smudge to enjoy.
My last Sunday will be the 10th February to enable us to move during half term and settle the children into their new schools. I will then be installed in mid-March and very much hope that you will be able to join me for this special occasion.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20–21)
Emma