The Bishop of Chester is pleased to announce the appointment of the Revds Lesley Currie and Jane Proudfoot as (Interim) Assistant Archdeacons serving the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield in the Diocese of Chester. Jane and Lesley will be commissioned for this work in September.
These appointments will cover the vacancy created by The Ven Ian Bishop moving to become Bishop of Thetford in the Diocese of Norwich. Lesley will primarily serve the Deaneries of Mottram, Chadkirk, Stockport, Cheadle, and Macclesfield. Jane will primarily serve the Deaneries of Bowdon, Knutsford, Congleton, and Nantwich. The Venerable Dr Michael Gilbertson, Archdeacon of Chester, will oversee archidiaconal work across the whole diocese.
The Bishop of Chester, The Rt Revd Mark Tanner, said, “As Ian’s ministry has shown, Archdeacons are an essential part of the life of this diocese as we serve all 1.65 million people who live and work here. Jane and Lesley join a vibrant team and will bring considerable gifts. Please hold them in your prayers.”
The Revd Lesley Currie describes being “excited at the opportunity to serve a whole range of communities in this way with the hope we find in Christ.” The Revd Jane Proudfoot says, “It is a privilege to serve as a priest in the Diocese of Chester and I am delighted to be able to support the churches of this Archdeaconry in this way.”
Dr Gilbertson welcomed Lesley and Jane’s appointments saying, “I am looking forward very much to working with Jane and Lesley over the next few months.”
The Bishop of Stockport, the Rt Revd Sam Corley, who has primary pastoral responsibility for the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield, said, “I am delighted that Jane and Lesley have agreed to work alongside myself and Bishop Mark through the vacancy as we work on appointing a new Archdeacon of Macclesfield.”
Work on appointing the next Archdeacon of Macclesfield will commence in the autumn and we hope to see them in place in the first half 2024.