New Archdeacon hopes to be ‘agent for change’ in Notts churches

The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy, has appointed the Revd Canon Peter Hill to be the new Archdeacon of Nottingham – which will involve overseeing one of the oldest ‘Archdeaconries’ in the country.

Following consultation, the Bishop said he was delighted to announce the appointment. Peter Hill will be collated and installed into the new role at Evensong, at 5.45pm on Saturday 14th July 2007 in Southwell Minster. He will also continue to fulfil the role of Diocesan Chief Executive until an appointment to that position is in place, hopefully by early Autumn 2007.

Bishop George said: “A recent consultation I conducted confirmed my earlier judgement that Peter Hill is one of the most respected and strategic leaders in our diocese combining a high standard of administrative skill with commitment to mission and evangelism and a genuine pastoral heart. I am sure the news of his appointment will be greeted by warm acclamation by clergy and lay leaders. Having worked closely with Peter, as Chairman of the House of Clergy, a member of General Synod, Chair of the Board of Education, Area Dean and for the past four years as Diocesan Chief Executive I, along with the other members of the senior staff, am delighted that Peter has agreed to take on this role.”

Peter said he had enjoyed his role as Chief Executive of the Diocese, being immersed in the planning and resourcing of mission strategy, but said he was looking forward to a more hands on pastoral role alongside local church leaders as Archdeacon of Nottingham. 

He said: “I love the City and wider conurbation of Nottingham, it is where I started my ordained ministry 24 years ago.  These days it has a real buzz with many new initiatives, challenges and possibilities for ministry.

“I see the Church as called by God to communicate the Christian faith afresh to each generation.  For me the Archdeacon’s role is to be an agent for change within that task, serving and encouraging clergy and other local church leaders in carrying it out. I want to help strengthen clergy and laity to be open and bold, rather than defended and over cautious in mission and evangelism.  It is a bit like being the drummer in a rock band who provides the right back beat for the other band members to improvise and build their music on. 

“It is also about being a managerial support to our two bishops in their oversight and care for the people of the Diocese. I already enjoy the strong colleagueship and friendship within the Bishop’s Staff and am simply changing my role within the team.”

Originally from Swansea in Wales, Peter taught for 10 years before being ordained into the Church of England. He served as a curate in Nottingham, as vicar of Huthwaite and then as vicar in the former mining village of Calverton. As a representative on the General Synod of the Church of England, Peter was a member of a national group, headed up by Lord Dearing to review the work of church schools. As a former teacher he has put his educational experience to work for the diocese and was appointed as Chair of the Board of Education in 2001. He was appointed as Chief Executive for the Diocese of Southwell in 2004.

He is married to Ellen, who teaches children with severe and profound learning difficulties in Mansfield Woodhouse and they have two grown up children.

A keen sport and outdoor enthusiast, Peter completed a personal pilgrimage on foot from Calverton to Lindisfarne, in the footsteps of St Wilfrid (patron saint of Calverton parish church) a few years ago.  He has also recently learnt to scuba dive in the Red Sea.

ends