It was announced in St Mary’s on 8 February that Harri England will be joining their ministry team as an assistant curate following her ordination as a deacon on 4 July.
Reverend Paul White, the team rector, commented, “We are all looking forward to welcoming Harri into the Rye Team Ministry. Whilst she is coming here to learn about how to be a deacon, a priest and a vicar she also comes with a plethora of skills and experience so I have no doubt that we shall learn a lot from her too. As Harri joins us as a curate we also give thanks for all that Reverend Michael Georgiou has done during his curacy and we look forward to the next stage of his ministry. Given these changes and the recent arrival of Reverend Nathanael as the Rector of Winchelsea and the imminent arrival of Reverend Francesa as Rector of Brede there is lots happening.”
When Harri was asked about her appointment she replied, “I’m so excited to join you all in Rye and the surrounding area. Having spent the previous ten years before theological college in Hastings, I feel that I know the area well and am looking forward to being back, going for long walks and sitting in coffee shops.
“I’ve been in Cambridge studying at Ridley Hall Theological College for the past three years. I spent the first two years attached to Trinity Hall completing my undergraduate degree and am currently working towards a postgraduate in Theology. Whilst it has been a lot of sitting and reading I have also gotten to know a great many people over my time here and am both sad to leave them but also excited as we go out to our various curacies across England.
“I must confess I came to admit my call to ordination quite petulantly. I hoped as I began that someone might say no which would get me off the hook. As I progressed further down the discernment process and I read and studied more deeply about the richness of Anglicanism and the priesthood, I found I increasingly felt the call. As ever God continued to pursue me until I came to follow even if I did go a roundabout way to get there. I even completed a postgraduate degree in Comparative Literature specialising in Critical Theory in order to try and bypass God’s plan but as ever I was drawn back and I am so glad.
“When I join you in July I will be bringing with me my cat, Lady Jane Grey. She is six months old, and a lot of fun. Her name may tip you off as to my interest in history, especially the Reformation but my main love shall ever be English Literature and I wait in anticipation to bring my books out of storage.
“As I prepare for curacy I would appreciate your prayers for a smooth transition. I am looking forward to meeting you all in an official capacity (I did quietly join you at St Mary’s for a Sunday service back in the summer). It has been lovely visiting Rye and I hope to get to know you better once I arrive and get to know more about your community and join you in worship.”
Please pray for Harri as she completes her studies and for her ordination service and the move to Rye.
Image Credits: Harri England's archives .