I am delighted that The Venerable Rachel Treweek, Archdeacon of Northolt, has accepted my invitation to succeed The Venerable Lyle Dennen as Archdeacon of Hackney. Rachel has met with the Bishop-designate of Stepney, The Very Reverend Adrian Newman, and he joins me in welcoming this move with great enthusiasm.
Over the next month or so The Revd Daniel Gerrans, who has been faithfully managing the Bishop of Stepney’s office, will move on to take up his role as Incumbent of St. Michael and All Angels, London Fields, and at the same time The Revd Prebendary Andy Windross will retire after 33 years of dedicated service in Stepney, latterly as Director of Ministry and Ordinands. There will be other opportunities for us to express our thanks to them, but after this long period of transition it is obviously a cause for real thanksgiving that a new Bishop and Archdeacon will start together in the summer. (I hope that many of you will join us in the Cathedral at 11am on Friday 22nd July for the consecration of Adrian Newman and of Nick Holtam, the Bishop-designate of Salisbury.)
Rachel is of course not unfamiliar with Stepney Area, having served as curate at St George and All Saints Tufnell Park for five years before becoming Vicar of St James the Less, Bethnal Green for a further seven years. Her five years as Archdeacon of Northolt, working very happily alongside the indefatigable Bishop of Willesden, give Rachel an enormous advantage in that she will ‘hit the ground running’. Meanwhile, Bishop Pete will be free to devote all his time to the Willesden Area as his commission as Acting Bishop of Stepney comes to an end in July. In full consultation with Bishop Pete I plan to follow the more regular route of advertising and interviewing in search of a replacement for Rachel as Archdeacon of Northolt.
Rachel is married to The Revd Guy Treweek, who has recently been appointed Priest-in-Charge of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe and St James, Garlickhythe in the City. Please join me in praying for Rachel and Guy as they prepare to move and take up new responsibilities, and for Bishop-designate Adrian as he begins to form anew the Stepney leadership team.
I cannot let this message pass by without expressing very deep thanks to the Area Deans, Julia Porter-Pryce (Hackney), Michael Learmouth (Islington) and Alan Green (Tower Hamlets) who have all been commissioned to act as Archdeacons during the vacancy. They have been an outstanding trio, taking on the extra burden of archidiaconal duties without complaining, keeping the ministry in Stepney running smoothly and advancing, as well as playing a full part in our Diocesan Senior Staff team.
It has been very encouraging to see that things have not stood still during the inter-regnum in Stepney. Clergy and people have demonstrated the resurrection power of Jesus Christ as they have continued to make him known by loving service and faithful proclamation.
With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres KCVO DD FSA
