The Diocese of Southwark has appointed a new Archdeacon. The Reverend Jonathan Sedgwick, who's been acting as Archdeacon of Southwark since June, is rector of local church St George Martyr with St Alphege and St Jude.
Rev Jonathan was born in Sheffield where many members of his family still live and he describes himself as a "proud Yorkshireman."
After reading Law at Brasenose College, Oxford he then spent a year teaching in Ghana before attending the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield where he also read a Theology Degree at Leeds University. He was ordained priest in 1990.
The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, said
"I am delighted that the Revd Jonathan Sedgwick has accepted my invitation to be the next Archdeacon of Southwark. Jonathan has ministered in the Diocese of Southwark since 1997 and brings both pastoral wisdom and acumen to this role from his time as an incumbent and a senior civil servant who also ministered in a non-stipendiary capacity before his seven years at St George the Martyr Southwark. His missional focus, care of the clergy and strategic gifts have been very much appreciated by his colleagues while serving for six months as Acting Archdeacon and will equip him well in his future ministry. I commend him to your prayers."
Speaking of his appointment Rev Jonathan said, "I am very excited to be taking on this role full-time. This is a wonderful archdeaconry full of faithful and talented clergy, lay leaders and congregations all working hard to share the good news of God's love. We serve a borough which is one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse in the country. I rejoice in that and I strongly support our Anti-Racism Charter and work with young families as we seek to minister to all our communities and play our part in improving the life chances of all our young people.
"I am well aware how tired and anxious many people are as we face another wave of the pandemic. I will do my best to support all our clergy and congregations as we recover. And I pray that in this Christmas season we may all know in our hearts that in the birth of Jesus, God has truly come among us."
The Bishop of Woolwich, the Rt Revd Dr Karowei Dorgu, said, "I am delighted that Jonathan will be joining Archdeacon Alastair Cutting and me as part of our Woolwich TRIO as the next Archdeacon of Southwark. He is a very gifted priest and pastor, who has brought so much to the Parish, Area and Diocese. I look forward to our partnership in the gospel of Christ in Woolwich Area."