On Saturday 1st July 2023 at 10.30am, Dr Karen Smith will be Ordained a Deacon in the Cathedral, and will begin the next phase of her journey of faith.At that time Revd Karen will become our Benefice's Curate and will work alongside Revd Mark to serve all in our local community, whilst continuing her own study and development in a more practical way. The Role of a Deacon in the Church of England is described in the Ordinal as follows: "Deacons are called to work with the Bishop and the priests with whom they serve as heralds of Christ's kingdom. They are to proclaim the gospel in word and deed, as agents of God's purposes of love."In due course (usually 1 year) it is hoped that Karen will be ordained as Priest, assuming additional responsibilities, but a Priest also always remains a Deacon.Do Pray for Karen and her family as they prepare to move to their new home, and for all across this diocese and beyond who are preparing for Ordination.
In the diocese we are very fortunate that our 2 Bishops are very active and enjoy getting out and about in the parishes.Often this is for a special occasions, such as Confirmations, but every now and again they are able to join in with the everyday life in a parish and benefice, and it is to this which we are looking forward to welcoming The Rt Revd Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich to join and lead our Sunday Communion Service, and then afterwards to take some time to enjoy refreshments and conversations with us.Everyone is welcome to join us. Why not bring a friend!
Everyone is invited to join us for a special service in a church near you!Come along in your favourite Christmas Jumper or just as you are!Why not come with your family, friends, and neighbours.#FollowTheStar
In July 2023 our leadership team will grow as Dr Karen Smith will join us as a full time Curate. Karen will then be with us for 3 years.Karen says “I’m really delighted to be joining such a beautiful and interesting Benefice as your new Curate from next July. I think that there will be many wonderful mission and pastoral opportunities to get involved in and I can’t wait to get started! I’m particularly looking forward to getting to know everyone and being part of the worshiping and wider communities. Please pray for me as I complete my final year at Westcott House, Cambridge and prepare to move to the Benefice."We are excited to welcome Karen to our Benefice and for the opportunities to learn and minister together. Karen will be ordained Deacon in St Edmundsbury Cathedral in July 2023, and will be Ordained Priest the following year.About Karen:I am from Glasgow but came ‘down south’ to study at Cambridge University in my early twenties and loved it so much, I stayed.I was an academic (neuroanatomy) and then became a management consultant for several years. I returned to academia (working at Cambridge, UCL and UEA) as a specialist in developing high value transformative research initiatives through partnerships with private, public and third sector organisations. In recent years I have been training for Ordination at Westcott House, an Anglican theological college in the heart of Cambridge.I have two grown up sons and enjoy sailing, travelling all over the world and pottering about in the garden, dojang and on the golf course. I am looking forward to lots of countryside walks in the stunning Stour Valley.
