New Ministry initiative in the Diocese of London

08/03/07

On Thursday 1 March the Bishop of Kensington licensed the Reverend Sue Groom as the Director of Deanery Licensed Ministry. Deanery Licensed Ministry is a distinctive new scheme which will allow vocations to be locally discerned.

These clergy will then continue to serve in their own neighbourhoods. This will produce priests who already know well their locality, their Deaneries and the Boroughs of West London. The Scheme will be based at St Augustine’s Queen’s Gate which the Bishop hopes will become a strong centre for worship and teaching, ministry and mission in the Kensington Area.

The Bishop said of the scheme:

“My vision is to build up a group of clergy; filled with the Spirit, steeped in prayer and ready to respond to the pastoral needs of God’s people where they live.”

The first Director of the scheme, Sue Groom, has a proven academic record and is currently studying for a Doctorate in Ministry at Durham University. She has a depth and love of theological learning. She also has proven pastoral experience in parish ministry in London and was previously the Vicar of St Matthew’s Yiewsley.

The Bishop said of Sue:

“I have every confidence in Sue’s ability to train and educate the men and women entrusted to her care, and that she will nurture in them a deep love for our Lord, for His Gospel, His Church and His World.”