Staff Updates: More changes to remember!
There are lots of changes happening on the staff team over the next few weeks and months…
Firstly, we are delighted to announce that Henry Frankel has been appointed as our new Youth Pastor and will be joining the team on Monday 25th October. Jon Hudson, our new Worship Pastor, joins us this coming Monday (11 Oct).
We have just heard that Jo and Josiah English will be leaving at the beginning of December as Josiah is taking up a new role at the Julian of Norwich Campus. Read below for a few words from them both.
There have also been some changes with the remaining team!
Fran Varley, along with her Safeguarding role, is now Deputy Operations Manager, Emma Orton is now Communications, Media and Design Lead and Diana Hopkins, as well as Children & Families Pastor, will be Head of 0 -18’s too.
Please pray for all these changes and for the new staff who will be needed in the weeks ahead.
Josiah and Jo English
Josiah writes: ‘I joined the staff team at St John's somewhat suddenly and unexpectedly in November 2018. Over the past three years my role has taken different forms, but always centred around the building facilities, ensuring they are well used and readily useable. I am pleased to have helped oversee the move out from the old building, survived the transition period (both at Lordswood Girls' school and online) and finally moved us back into the new premises, but the time has come for a new season.
In December, Jo and I will be moving to the centre of Norwich where I will take up the position of Resident Steward at All Hallows House, a former convent building and newly founded guest house on the Julian of Norwich campus. The role involves considerable entrepreneurial energy, a love of hospitality, with plenty of room for creativity. We will live on the premises, with our own private quarters upstairs but also with the intention of inhabiting the communal spaces downstairs to ensure a warm welcome for any guests, pilgrims and wanderers. Together with the priest director and pioneer curate, the goal is to raise the profile of my beloved Julian of Norwich within the city and beyond, and to introduce Mother Julian to a new generation. As the author of the first book in English written by a woman, Julian is a significant historical figure, not to mention a hero of the faith whose spiritual reflections have impacted millions through the centuries, and I am thrilled to be taking a lead in this new venture.
As we prepare for this significant transition, I would ask for prayer that all the practicalities of the move would go smoothly; that we would quickly settle in and find a welcoming community; and that God would bless this venture as I take up this new and exciting position.’
Jo writes: ‘Being offered this job at St John’s so soon after our move to the UK in 2017 was such an answer to prayer and we will really miss the community we have been so wholeheartedly welcomed into. We have been encouraged to grow, given opportunities to explore new things and been so loved by all of you. While I am sad to be leaving you all, I can’t pretend I’m not also over the moon that Josiah has been offered this opportunity in Norwich. I’m really looking forward to the challenge. As for me and what I’ll do - I will probably find something fun and part time as I build my sewing machine repair business. The world is my oyster - or rather Norwich is my oyster! And I’m told they have great oysters there!’