15 July 2024
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani has announced that the next Archdeacon of West Ham will be the Venerable Mike Power, who currently serves as the Archdeacon of Southend.
Following last month’s announcement that the current Archdeacon of West Ham, the Venerable Elwin Cockett will be retiring on 30 September this year, the Bishop of Barking, the Rt Rev Lynne Cullens approached Bishop Guli to ask for a review of the imminent vacancy, to take into account the acute and particular needs of both the Archdeaconry and the Area Team at this juncture.
A panel, including lay and ordained representation from the West Ham Archdeaconry, gave careful consideration to these matters, as well as to identifying the most effective way of securing an early appointment. The various options considered included a full, standard recruitment process. The panel concluded that, for exceptional reasons, the appointment of an experienced archdeacon in the Diocese would be beneficial. With Bishop Adam’s blessing, Mike Power, who is both experienced as an Archdeacon and knows the Barking Area well, was approached and has accepted the role.
Preparations will shortly begin for a full appointment process for the role of Archdeacon of Southend, which will be advertised in the autumn.
Commenting on the appointment, Bishop Guli said:
“Mike’s appointment is good news for the parishes and worshipping communities of the West Ham Archdeaconry and I’m immensely grateful to him for agreeing to this move. He brings many gifts to the role of Archdeacon. He knows the Diocese of Chelmsford well and has a good understanding of the Barking Episcopal Area and established relationships with many church leaders and members of the Area Team. I know that people in the Southend Archdeaconry and the Bradwell Area will be disappointed to see him leave and will miss him greatly, even though he will still, of course, be with us in Chelmsford Diocese. I will be working with Bishop Adam over the coming days so that we can work towards a smooth transition and advertise and recruit to the Archdeacon of Southend vacancy as quickly as possible in the autumn.”
The Venerable Mike Power said:
“It has been a great privilege to serve as Archdeacon of Southend and I will be very sorry to say goodbye to the many friends and good colleagues I have made, not only in the Southend Archdeaconry, but across the whole Bradwell Area. Of course, this is not the first time I have been called to serve in the Barking Area, but I am looking forward to beginning what will be a new ministry with the people and churches of the West Ham Archdeaconry.“
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Archdeacon Mike Power
Commenting on the appointment, Bishop Lynne said:
“Mike brings to the West Ham Archdeaconry extensive experience of being an archdeacon in our diocese, particularly his time holding the Bradwell Episcopal Area through a simultaneous archidiaconal and episcopal vacancy. His direct knowledge of the Barking Episcopal Area where he served as a parish priest for eight years and an Area Dean for two years, and his recent work supporting specific areas during Elwin’s period of ill health, means he is able to bring to us the experienced archidiaconal ministry we need at this time.
“Those who know Mike, and have worked closely with him as an archdeacon, will be aware that he brings many gifts, in particular an ability to support and work closely with people in complex situations in a great variety of contexts and traditions. I am enormously grateful to him for accepting Bishop Guli’s offer to become the next Archdeacon of West Ham.”
The Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Rev Adam Atkinson said:
“Mike will be hugely missed in the Southend Archdeaconry and the Bradwell Episcopal Area. I am personally very grateful to him for the warm welcome he has given to me since I became Bishop of Bradwell. I also know that there are many across the Bradwell Area who have benefited from his wisdom, care and support, particularly during the period when both the Bishop of Bradwell and the Archdeacon of Chelmsford roles were in vacancy and Mike did so much to support parishes and worshipping communities across the whole of the Area. We will be sad to see him go but I very much look forward to continuing to work with him as a colleague on the Bishop’s Leadership Team when he begins his new ministry in West Ham.”
The current Archdeacon of West Ham, the Venerable Elwin Cockett said:
“West Ham is the most populous archdeaconry in the diocese with unsurpassed diversity, considerable challenges and opportunities for growth, which Mike is well equipped to take on. I am delighted about his appointment, knowing his passion for East London and his heart for the Gospel”.
Mike will formally take over the role in October, but intervening arrangements will be made for him to offer some support to the West Ham Archdeaconry before then. Further details will follow.
