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NEW ARCHDEACON OF LAMBETH

Monday 21 July 2003

The Rev Christopher Skilton is to be the new Archdeacon of Lambeth, in the Diocese of Southwark. He succeeds the Ven. Nick Baines, who was consecrated Bishop of Croydon in May. He will take up his appointment in early 2004.

Chris Skilton, 48, is the Team Rector of Sanderstead, All Saints and Rural Dean of Croydon South in the Diocese of Southwark. He is a member of the Southwark Diocesan Synod and Board of Patronage as well as of the Editorial Advisory Board of The Bridge, the Diocesan newspaper. Chris is married to Barbara and they have three grown up children.

Mr Skilton has extensive experience of parish ministry in a number of Dioceses, which he has thoroughly enjoyed and he intends to promote and affirm the primary place of the parish in the life of the Church. He has a long held interest in adult learning in the church and teaches Old Testament on the Southwark Diocesan Discipleship Course as well as the Nature and Practice of Ministry for St John's College, Nottingham, Extension Studies.

Commenting on his new appointment as an Archdeacon, he said, "Whilst it will be hard to leave parish-based ministry behind, I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of working with the churches and communities of the Lambeth Archdeaconry and would see my task as one of supporting, enabling and serving them in their mission and ministry."

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Tom Butler, comments, "Chris Skilton is an experienced parish priest and Rural Dean who will bring his extensive knowledge of parish ministry to bear on his new work as Archdeacon of Lambeth. I am sure that his appointment will be widely welcomed."

SHORT BIOGRAPHY: the Rev. Christopher Skilton
Born in Uxbridge Middlesex 19th March 1955
1966 - 1972 : educated at Latymer Upper School London
1973 -1976 : Magdalene College, Cambridge: BA (Hons 2:1) in English
1976 -1977 : Goldsmiths College London: Post Graduate Certificate in Education
1977- 1980 : Wycliffe Hall Oxford: Oxford Certificate in theology (Distinction)
1980 : Married Barbara.
1980 : Ordained Deacon. 1981: Ordained Priest
1980 - 1984 : Assistant Curate St Mary, Ealing, Diocese of London
1984 -1988 : Assistant Curate St John, Wimborne, Salisbury Diocese
1985 - 1988 : Tutor Salisbury Diocesan Lay Training Scheme
1985 - : Tutor (Old Testament and Ministry) St John's College Nottingham, extension Studies Course and Summer Schools
1985 -1995 : Team Vicar, Great Baddow Team Ministry, Chelmsford Diocese
1990-1995 : Member of Chelmsford Diocesan Synod
1990- 1991 : Senior Tutor, Chelmsford Diocese Lay Training Course
1995 - : Team Rector, Sanderstead Team Ministry, Southwark Diocese
1997 - : member Southwark Diocesan Synod
2000 - : Rural Dean of Croydon South, Southwark Diocese
2002 - : (also) Priest in Charge of St Mary, Sanderstead

PUBLICATIONS
1999: Leadership Teams (Grove Pastoral Series)
Currently working on a piece on 'Pastoral Care and Chronic Illness'

NOTE: An Archdeacon is a senior member of the clergy, responsible to the diocesan bishop for an area. The 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 Lambeth comprises the five Rural Deaneries of Brixton (8 parishes), Clapham (8 parishes), Lambeth (5 parishes), Merton (18 parishes), and Streatham (12 parishes).

PHOTOGRAPHS of the new Archdeacon are available on request.

Ends

For further information contact: 

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468