Leaders from the worlds of education, business, and local government gathered in Nottingham to welcome the new Bishop of Sherwood designate, the Revd Dr Andrew Emerton.
The group were in the Council House, Old Market Square, the first stop for Andy on a brief tour of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, which covers Nottinghamshire and a slice of South Yorkshire.
“It was a delight to be welcomed so warmly to the diocese,” said Andy. “I was very grateful for the opportunity to spend some time in Nottingham, Mansfield and Southwell and it was a privilege to meet some of the wonderful people who serve their communities in a variety of different ways. I am very much looking forward to moving to the region and starting my new role later in the year.”
Among those gathered at the Council House were: Sir John Peace; Workplace chaplaincy lead Jo Tatum; Chief Executive of the Transform Trust Rebecca Meredith CBE; Nottingham City Council Community Cohesion Development Officer Shazia Khan; Sheriff of Nottingham Councillor Patience Uloma Ifediora.
Andy then travelled to Mansfield where he was welcomed to St Peter and St Paul’s by the Revd Caroline Phillips. There Andy met with: Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams; Mansfield District Council head of housing Jill Finnesey; Mansfield Churches Together chair Pastor Konrad Schafer; Mansfield Christian Community Centre co-pastor Sandra Schafer; Sherwood Forest Foodbank representative Kate Miller; Hall Homeless project representatives Vernon Slaney and Jane Robinson.
Andy finished his tour at Southwell Minster where he met the Dean, the Very Revd Nicola Sullivan, and other staff who help to maintain the life of the Minster
The Bishop of Sherwood is a Suffragan role, meaning that Andy will work closely with the Diocesan Bishop, the Right Revd Paul Williams, in overseeing mission and ministry across the diocese.
Bishop Paul said: “It was a joy to welcome Andy to the diocese and introduce him to some of those who lead and serve in strategic roles in the city and county. As he prepares to move to Nottingham in the summer, I know Andy will receive a very warm welcome to the East Midlands where he will find there is a creative and dynamic culture bringing growth and new opportunity to an exciting and expanding region of the country.”
Andy grew up in the North West near Chester and was educated at York University, and Queen’s College, Oxford, and has a background in scientific consultancy and youth ministry prior to training for ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He served his title curacy at Holy Trinity Brompton in the Diocese of London and was ordained Priest in 2006.
He is currently the Dean at St Mellitus theological college in London. He is married to Liz, who is Assistant Head with responsibility for safeguarding at Kensington Park School London, and they have three school age children.
Andy will succeed the Right Revd Tony Porter, who retires on 22nd March with a special service of farewell to him and his wife Lucille in Southwell Minster at 3.30pm.
Andy will be consecrated as bishop by the Archbishop of York on Thursday 21st May 2020 at 11am in York Minster. He will continue to serve St Mellitus College until the end of the academic year while also preparing to engage in the life and ministry of the diocese from July, prior to the family moving to Nottinghamshire over the summer.
