PARISHIONERS have a new woman deacon in Stepney who takes up her pulpit duties on Sunday. Christine Hall has been appointed at St Dunstan & All Saints, the mother church’ of London’s East End. She was one of seven ordinations for the Diocese of Stepney who were appointed at the weekend by the Bishop of London in a packed St Paul’s Cathedral. There were 34 ordained across London, nine of whom were women
PARISHIONERS have a new woman deacon in Stepney who takes up her pulpit duties on Sunday.
Christine Hall has been appointed at St Dunstan & All Saints, the 'mother church' of London's East End.
She was one of seven ordinations for the Diocese of Stepney, covering East London, who were appointed at the weekend by the Bishop of London, The Rt Rev Richard Chartres.
The ceremony took place in a packed St Paul's Cathedral where 34 candidates were ordained across London, nine of whom were women.
The new deacons also include six more assigned to the Stepney Diocese covering East London and part of north London: Maily Danks-Flower at Barts & The London NHS Trust which runs the Royal London Hospital at Whitechapel and London Chest Hospital at Bethnal Green, Monica Stewart at St Thomas in Clapton Common, Lucyann Ashdown at St Mary in Stoke Newington, Simon Stokes at Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, Berhane Asmelash of the Upper Holloway Team and Stu Wright of Tollington Parish in Holloway.
The Bishop of Stepney, The Rt Rev Stephen Oliver, said: "This is a talented mix of men and women who have committed to serving their parishes in East London.
"It benefits London to see these capable people with their plethora of talents, committing to serve their diverse and vibrant communities through the work of God."
Ages of the new deacons range from 25 to 72, more than half being 35 or under, and all with a diverse range of backgrounds and interests.
They have also had a variety of occupations including a director of a human rights organisation and a solicitor.
The four other London diocesan divisions also received their newly-ordained deacons.
LONDON & Westminster: Erin Clifford at St Michael's in Chester-square, Ed Flint at St Mary in Bryanston-sq, Mark Lowther at St Peter's in Eaton-sq, and three Pioneering deacons, Pete Hughes, Annie Kirke and Gareth Dickinson.
WILLESDEN: Richard Bastable, St Martin in Ruislip, Mark Bishop, Oak Tree Anglican Fellowship, Barry Hingston, St Paul in Ealing, Jeff Payne, St George in Southall, Rebecca Peters, Christ Church in Roxeth, Justin Read-Smith, St Mary in Ealing, and Timothy Saiet, St Paul in Ealing.
KENSINGTON: Anne Cowley, St Stephen with St Thomas in Shepherd's Bush, Toby Flint, Holy Trinity in Brompton, Charles Hudson, All Souls in St Margaret's, Twickenham, Tim Matthews, Holy Trinity in Brompton, Viv Thomas, St Paul's in Hammersmith, Guy Treweek, St Peter in Hammersmith, and Beverly Watson, St Mary's Osterley with St Luke's.
EDMONTON: Matthew Burridge, St Silas with Holy Trinity & St Barnabas in Kentish Town, Thomas Lake, Christ Church in Cockfosters, Simon Morris, St Mary in Tottenham, Graham Singh, Holy Trinity in Swiss Cottage, Ed Turner, St Paul in Winchmore Hill, Bryce Wandrey, St Michael in Highgate, and Steven Young, St John in West Hendon & St Matthias in Colindale.
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