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The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Revd Graham Tomlin and the Bishop of London
02/07/08
The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres and The Bishop of Chelmsford, The Rt Revd John Gladwin today led a service of thanksgiving and commissioning at St Paul’s Cathedral, to celebrate the establishment of St Mellitus College over the past year.
The creation of this new theological college was a joint initiative between the dioceses of Chelmsford and London and offers emerging and established church leaders the opportunity to combine academic study with practical learning on the job. The college caters for ministerial training of ordinands across London and Essex (trainee priests), whilst they are based in local churches and communities. It also offers new opportunities for theological study for lay people across the region.
The Cathedral was packed with hundreds of students, staff and friends who gathered to see the commissioning of the new Dean of St Mellitus, the Revd Dr Graham Tomlin and the Directors of the two constituent bodies, the Revd Dr David Hilborn, Director of North Thames Ministerial Training Course and the Revd Dr Andy Emerton, Director of St Paul’s Theological Centre.
St Mellitus will serve a combined church region of 6.3 million people across London and Essex. The mixture of 300 languages and cultures make it one of the most diverse regions of the world. Ordinands, established vicars and lay people will all be able to learn from their communities, share experiences and deepen their faith. The College represents the coming together of the North Thames Ministerial Training Course, which runs across the two dioceses and the St Paul’s Theological Centre based in Kensington. St Mellitus College will aim to work closely with a variety of training institutions and churches across the region.
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd John Gladwin said:
“I am thrilled at the establishment of St Mellitus College. This is a good day for both Chelmsford and London dioceses. Doors of opportunity are opening up for the formation and training of people called to share in the ministry of the Church.”
The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres said:
“At a time when fragmentation and partisanship can appear to threaten the credibility and effectiveness of our ministry, St Mellitus represents a bold step of faith and trust. We believe that as we pursue the harder path of unity in diversity, the College will prove to be an instrument of the Spirit in equipping the whole people of God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The text of the Bishop of London's sermon can be found here. To learn more about St Mellitus College, visit www.stmellituscollege.org.uk.
St Augustine of Canterbury appointed Mellitus to be a missionary Bishop to the East Saxons in 604. He was based in London, but covered the whole of the region now covered by the dioceses of Chelmsford and London.
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