A priest who trained at St Luke’s Church in Homerton has been announced as the new Archdeacon of Hackney.
The Revd Elizabeth Adekunle, has succeeded the Venerable Rachel Treweek, who has been appointed as the next Bishop of Gloucester and takes up the position next year.
Revd Adekunle, who has served as an on-call chaplain at Homerton Hospital, will take on the senior clerical position within the Diocese of London, overseeing parishes in Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets.
As the Archdeacon of Hackney, Adekunle will perform a number of important roles, including supporting clergy, carrying out diocesan policy and taking responsibility for church buildings.
Adekunle read Theology at Birmingham University and did a Masters degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in African Christianity and Development.
She trained for priesthood at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, during which she completed a second Masters in Pastoral Care and Counselling.
While a Chaplain at Cambridge, Adekunle was heavily involved in supporting welfare structures at the college, offering counselling support to the 850 undergraduates and research students as well as over 200 staff.
The Reverend Duncan Dormor, Dean of Chapel at St John’s, said, “Liz has been an outstanding pastor to the community here at St John’s and a wonderful colleague. I have no doubt that her experience of working with young people in particular will prove an invaluable asset as she seeks, in her new role, to support the mission and ministry of the clergy and parishes of Stepney. I am delighted at this exciting appointment, though she will be very deeply missed by all at St John’s.”
Revd Adekunle said: “I am very much looking forward to returning to East London, an area which is close to my heart and to working with and serving the people of Stepney.”
The Bishop of London said: “Elizabeth is a hugely gifted priest and I am confident she will make a significant contribution to the area as well as to the policy formation and the life of the Diocese as a whole”
Adekunle is one of the youngest people to take on the role.
(via Hackney Citizen)
