Ipswich’s new archdeacon has explained how her difficult experiences in childhood led her to joining the clergy – and how fears of ‘losing her flock’ were relieved on arrival in Suffolk’s county town.
Archdeacon Samantha Brazier-Gibbs started her new position in July, taking over from Archdeacon Rhiannon King who left earlier this year to become the Bishop of Southampton.
Samantha said she absolutely loves her new role, but before making the decision to take the job had worried she would miss the close connection with her congregation.
“I've been a parish priest for more than 20 years and was a bit worried that with becoming an archdeacon I wouldn't have a flock to love and encourage,” she said.
“But actually one of the great privileges is that the ministers of the Archdeaconry and the people of Ipswich became my flock. I also get the privilege of sitting at top-table discussions about vision, mission, strategy and about how the church in this diocese is shaped, what we do to lift Jesus high and how we love the people who are charged to our care. I get to love, serve, encourage and give them everything a vicar would give a congregation.”
Samantha was born and raised in North West London but has lived in Essex for the past 20 years. She described her early childhood as made up of ‘chaos and sport’.
“This was until I was about six or seven years old when some stuff happened at home that I didn't really understand,” she said.
“I remember hands and bodies and not feeling safe. I didn't really have language to express what was happening but there was something wrong in the home. The only person I ever really felt safe with was my dad, but he was at work all the time.”
When she was 13 her father passed away, just six months after being diagnosed with cancer.
“I remember thinking my only safety in the world has gone,” she said.
As a teenager Samantha met a Christian called Anne, who invited her to a church youth group and she became, what she calls, a ‘covert, undercover Christian’. A few years later he went off to university and, while studying, was told her mother had attempted to take her own life. She rushed to hospital but her mother passed away. Samantha was in a dark place, and decided she didn’t want to live any longer herself.
However, she turned the radio on and Premier Christian Radio came on the airwaves with a caller saying “God has told us there’s a young woman out there who doesn’t want to live, but Jesus says I have a plan and purpose for your life”.
Soon after, she decided to follow Christ and joined St Michael’s Church in Harrow after being invited along by a friend.
“My heart exploded and I knew I was home and that I was safe,” she said.
“God saved me – and the church gave me a family and purpose. It sounds cliche but it’s true.”
Samantha started working as a Christian youth worker, later attending Ridley Hall in Cambridge to study theology before she was ordained and took a post in Newhall, Harlow and later in Chipping Ongar. In 2015 she moved to Blackmore and Stondon Massey, and stayed as the incumbent for 10 years. Samantha’s next adventure was when St Nicholas Church in Fyfield was added to her care and where she was the Mission and Ministry Unit Leader across 17 churches. However, Samantha had been thinking about how to use her skills in a more strategic way, and impact more people, so applied for a role as an archdeacon in Suffolk.
“Suffolk has always had a place in my heart,” she said. “We used to go on holiday when I was young to Kessingland every year, so I know the Suffolk coast quite well. I have always loved Suffolk, there’s something about the big skies, the coast and the countryside here.”
Samantha said she’s had a very warm welcome since joining the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and is looking forward to what she can achieve in the role.
“I go through most days with a massive grin on my face. I just love the job,” she said.
“The clergy in Ipswich are an absolute joy, and the Diocesan staff have been so welcoming.”
Samantha said it was an exciting time for the Church of England in Suffolk, and longs to help bring people together across the county’s church communities.
“I was told something years ago that has stuck with me – ‘we want unity not uniformity,’" she said.
“With some kindness and compassion, some gentleness and a bundle of grace we can all be part of a wider church community.”