The Rev Christine Hardman is to be the next Archdeacon of Lewisham. She has been Vicar of Holy Trinity Stevenage in the Diocese of St Albans since 1996 and Rural Dean of Stevenage since 1999. She succeeds the Venerable David Atkinson who became the Bishop of Thetford earlier this year.

The Bishop of Southwark, announcing the appointment said: 'I am sure that Christine brings many strengths to her new ministry amongst us and very much look forward to working with her in the years to come.'

Christine Hardman, 49, trained for ministry on the St Albans Ministerial Training Scheme. She was made deaconess in 1984, deacon in 1987, and ordained priest in 1994. She served as deaconess and deacon in the parish of Markyate Street, in the Diocese of St Albans from 1984-1987, and then was Tutor and Course Director on the St Albans Ministerial Training Scheme from 1988-1996. She has a special interest in mission studies and the social implications of the Gospel.

She is a member of the General Synod and has served on the Synod's Eucharistic Prayers Revision Committee in the last Synod and is now a member of the Dioceses and Pastoral Measures Review Group and has just been appointed to represent General Synod on the Ethical Investment Advisory Group. She serves on both the Synod and Bishop's Council in the Diocese of St Albans.

Christine holds a BSc degree in Economics from London University and a MTh degree in Applied Theology from Westminster College, Oxford. After graduation she worked as an articled clerk and with an estate agency. She is married to Roger and they have two grown up daughters. She is expected to take up her new post in September.

Commenting on her appointment as Archdeacon of Lewisham, Christine said: 'it is difficult to imagine a more challenging and exciting place to be. The pace of development and change in this area is probably more rapid than anywhere else in the country. I am looking forward to being a part of that. My first priority will be to get to know the people of the Archdeaconry and learn about the things that they think are important as we work together for God's mission in the world.'

Her interests include cycling, theatre and cinema and she has recently discovered to her amazement that she enjoys running and was delighted to be a finisher in last year's London Marathon. As much of the route is in the Lewisham Archdeaconry Christine says: 'I think it may have to be attempted again in the future!'

NOTES: An Archdeacon is a senior member of the clergy, responsible to the Diocesan Bishop for an area. An Archdeacon usually inducts new incumbents into their parishes, shares the pastoral care of the clergy and does much practical legal and administrative work.

The Archdeaconry of Lewisham comprises the six Rural Deaneries of: Deptford (7 parishes), East Lewisham (14 parishes), Charlton (8 parishes), Eltham and Mottingham (9 parishes), Plumstead (9 parishes), and West Lewisham (10 Parishes).

SHORT BIOGRAPHY: The Rev Christine Elizabeth HARDMAN
Born 27th August 1951
London University BSc in Economics 1973; M.Th. in Applied Theology from Westminster College, Oxford 1994
St Albans Ministerial Training Course 1981-1984
Deaconess 1984, Markyate, Herts; Deacon 1987, Curate Markyate, Herts 1987-1988
St Albans Ministerial Training Scheme (Course Director) 1987-1994, St Albans and Oxford Ministry Course (Director of Mission Studies) 1994 -1996, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Stevenage 1996 -, Rural Dean of Stevenage 1999 -, St Alban's Diocesan Synod 1994 -; Bishop's Council 1998 -; General Synod 1998 -; Eucharistic Prayers Revision Committee 1999-2000; Dioceses and Pastoral Measures Review Group 2000 -; Ethical Investment Advisory Group 2001 -.

Married to Roger. Two grown-up daughters.

Ends.

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