A company director with a background in transport and agriculture has taken on a leading role supporting churches in Ipswich.
Simon English, 55, has been ordained a deacon for Ipswich St Matthew with Triangle and All Saints by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Revd Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell.
Mr English will be serving in a busy multi-parish benefice and he said: ‘As God transforms people’s lives, they in turn support and enrich the lives of others. A thriving church can be a place of hope, belonging and practical life-giving care for the whole community.’
He views his role as being fundamental to helping people experience their most joyous moments – while also guiding them through their more challenging times. Mr English, married with two children, grew up in a family where faith and church life were part of everyday life, but it was in his late teens that he made a personal commitment to follow Jesus.
‘My journey towards ordination began many years ago while I was working in London. I worked just around the corner from St Paul’s Cathedral and would often pop in to pray during my lunch breaks.
Before training for ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, I enjoyed a varied career in operations and risk management. I spent many years commuting from Suffolk to London, working as a civil servant in the transport sector, before moving into the agricultural sector, where I became a company director managing businesses supplying fresh produce to major UK supermarkets.
I have served as a non-stipendiary magistrate and remain on the supplementary list for the Suffolk Bench while I complete my training for ministry.
Eight years ago, my wife Ann and I began attending St Edmundsbury Cathedral, where I was privileged to be a member of the Cathedral Servers’ Team, while also leading intercessions and serving as a sub-deacon.’
Mr English describes himself as being passionate about social justice and he is now looking forward to the privilege of leading worship during his deacon duties. A deacon within the Church of England is a role undertaken before possibly, but not always, going on to serve as a priest.
Mr English will be acting as a bridge between the church and the community balancing spiritual support with practical, logistical and charitable leadership.