17 March 2025
The Rt Rev’d Graeme Knowles, Acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich has announced that the Rev’d Canon Samantha Brazier-Gibbs will be the next Archdeacon of Ipswich and Director of Inspiring Ipswich for the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
Samantha currently serves in the Diocese of Chelmsford as Vicar of St Laurence Blackmore and St Peter and St Paul, Stondon Massey. She is also a clergy representative of the Epping Forest and Ongar Deanery on the Chelmsford Diocesan Synod.
Commenting on her appointment, Samantha said:
‘Suffolk has held a special place in my heart since my childhood, when I holidayed there every year. I am excited to join the team in Ipswich and look forward to building relationships with fellow ministers and churches. I am eager to see how this next phase of ministry unfolds and hope to build on the excellent work already accomplished, fostering growth and developing sustainable new projects while nurturing innovative ideas.
“I have served in the Chelmsford Diocese since my ordination in 2006, working in both the Bradwell and Barking Areas. Each role I’ve held—from curacy to pioneer posts, parish priest, and the Bishop of Barking’s liturgical adviser—has brought me immense joy. It is with a heavy heart that I leave the Diocese, which I believe will always feel like home. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bishop Guli and her Leadership Team for their support and guidance, as well as to the wonderful people of the parishes where I have ministered.”
Welcoming Samantha’s appointment the Acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich said:
‘‘We are delighted to welcome Sam to our Diocese and she will bring with her a wealth of experience gained from working across urban and rural settings from east London boroughs to the Suffolk border, where she has worked to balance tradition with growth. She is looking forward to building relationships with fellow ministers and churches and play an important part in developing the Anglican church in Ipswich so that it is well placed for the future.’’
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev’d Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani has congratulated Samantha on her appointment:
“My warm congratulations to Sam on her appointment as Archdeacon of Ipswich. She will be greatly missed in our own diocese, particularly by people in the churches, schools and communities she has served faithfully. We give thanks for Sam’s ministry with us and pray for her as she prepares to move to the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
Samantha’s current parish is in the Bradwell Episcopal Area. Commenting on Sam’s appointment, the Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Rev’d Adam Atkinson said:
“We will miss Sam in the Bradwell Episcopal Area where she really has been an effective servant leader. I congratulate her on being appointed as the next Archdeacon of Ipswich. Our team will be praying with thanksgiving for her as she embarks on this new chapter in ministry.”
