The Ven Jeanette Gosney has been chosen for a key leadership role within the Church of England in Suffolk, to support hundreds of churches, clergy and help congregations to flourish. She was formally appointed as Archdeacon on Saturday (January 18) at 3.00pm at a service of collation in St Michael’s Framlingham, and will be installed as a Canon at the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds on Candlemas, Sunday 2 February at 3.30pm.
Jeanette has 25 years experience and will continue to live in Ipswich, started her ministry in 1995 in the town and will be the next Archdeacon of Suffolk. She has been serving as acting Archdeacon of Suffolk since May 2019 during the illness of Archdeacon the Ven Ian Morgan.
The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, said: ‘‘I am thrilled that Jeanette is to be the next Archdeacon of Suffolk in succession to the late Archdeacon Ian Morgan. The Archdeacon of Suffolk is responsible for supporting clergy and parishes in the eastern part of the county, outside of Ipswich, and Jeanette knows this area well having served as acting Archdeacon during Ian Morgan’s illness. She brings to this role strong pastoral gifts, a commitment to the mission of the local church, and a readiness to help churches seize opportunities and develop creative solutions as they seek to grow in faith and service. She is an outstanding addition to the leadership team of the Diocese.’’
Jeanette said: ‘‘I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been appointed Archdeacon of Suffolk. People say that being an archdeacon is all about buildings. That is true in part, and our church buildings are a key resource, but for me it's primarily about people. During the last few months as acting Archdeacon I have seen so many parishes longing to grow and with lots of ideas. I want to encourage and support them to help their vision become reality. That will mean creative thinking about how ministry is exercised, building teams of lay and ordained people. I want too to be able to offer support to clergy so that they can thrive, and to work with benefices to make good appointments.’’
She has served as Bishop’s Ministry Officer since May 2017 and prior to that was Parish Development Officer in the Diocese of St Albans, after periods as parish priest, theological college tutor and university chaplain. She was ordained in this diocese in 1995 and was curate at St Margaret’s Ipswich.
The Rt Rev Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich, said: “The new Archdeacon of Suffolk will play a key role across the hundreds of churches in the east of the county. She will support clergy and their well-being, working imaginatively with Christian congregations on outreach, service and witness locally, as well as resourcing communities as they look to maintain and enhance their buildings.’’
Monday 20th January 2020