5 June 2024
The Venerable Elwin Cockett has announced his retirement after serving as the Archdeacon of West Ham since 2007.
Commenting on the announcement, Archdeacon Elwin said:
“It has been a joy and a privilege to serve in this diocese for the past thirty-three years, the last seventeen as an Archdeacon, working alongside a lot of inspiring, Godly people. A bishop once called this ‘the mighty diocese of Chelmsford’ and it is certainly unsurpassed in the rich diversity of people and community life across East London and Essex, and perhaps most of all in the Archdeaconry of West Ham.
“As many people will know, I was diagnosed with Blood Cancer last year and, while the disease is now in remission, for which I am very thankful, I have had to admit to myself that I no longer have the reserves of stamina that the role of an Archdeacon is going to demand in the years ahead. I have been hugely grateful to my wife and family, my friends and my colleagues in the Bishop’s Leadership Team for their support over this past year, but it is clear to me that the time has come for me to pass the baton on to a successor who will bring fresh energy and insights to the role. Please pray for them, whoever they may be, and pray, too, for my wife, Sue, and me as we prepare to move to Somerset and look forward to exploring what God has in store for us in this next stage of life.”
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, has paid tribute to Archdeacon Elwin and thanked him for his service to Chelmsford Diocese:
“I am very grateful to Archdeacon Elwin for the extraordinary service he has given to our parishes and worshipping communities for 17 years as Archdeacon of West Ham and before that as a parish priest in both the Barking and Bradwell Areas. In particular, I thank him for the welcome that he gave me when I became Diocesan Bishop and for his contribution as a member of the Bishop’s Leadership Team since then. I look forward to gathering for a service later this year, so we can give thanks for his ministry and pray for him and Sue as they begin their retirement.”
Commenting on the announcement, the Bishop of Barking the Rt Revd Lynne Cullens added:
“Elwin will be missed by a great many when he retires after 33 years of service in our diocese, not least by friends and colleagues in the West Ham Archdeaconry and in the Barking Area Team. I thank him for the great wisdom and care that he has brought to his ministry and the support he has given to me and many other colleagues. We will be praying for him and for Sue as they begin their retirement.”
Elwin Cockett was ordained at Chelmsford Cathedral as a Deacon in 1991 and a Priest in 1992. He served his curacy at St Chad’s, Chadwell Heath, before moving in 1994 to St Paul’s Harold Hill. In 2000, he became Team Rector of Billericay and Little Burstead. He was appointed as Archdeacon of West Ham in 2007. Elwin also served as Rural Dean of Basildon between 2004 and 2007 and, most notably, as the Club Chaplain at West Ham United Football Club for twenty years between 1992 and 2012.
Archdeacon Elwin will be retiring in September. A farewell service, will take place at Chelmsford Cathedral at 3.30pm on Sunday 22 September, all are welcome.
