BISHOP Christopher has appointed a new Archdeacon of Portsdown to serve parishes in Portsmouth and Havant.

The Rev Jenny Rowley, who is currently rector of St John’s Church, Selsdon, and area dean for Croydon Addington, has been appointed to this role. She will be one of three Archdeacons in our diocese, alongside the Ven Gavin Collins as Archdeacon of the Meon and the Ven Peter Leonard as Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight.

Jenny is likely to be collated as Archdeacon just after Easter. She will succeed the Ven Joanne Grenfell, who was consecrated as the new Bishop of Stepney last year.

“I’m looking forward to being part of the team in Portsmouth diocese, supporting parish clergy in what are often difficult and demanding roles,” she said.

“It is great that Portsmouth diocese already has an authentic mission focus, and it will be exciting to see how I can work effectively alongside parishes that are seeking to reach out to these hugely diverse communities.

“The agenda of ‘live, pray, serve’ has already seen the creation of new pioneer ministry, brand new church plants, growing congregations, and innovative ways in which people can engage with God – alongside more traditional parish ministry, which is also vital. All these ministries are already 'making a difference for good and for God' and I’m delighted to be invited to be part of taking these forward.”

Jenny, 58, is married to Mark and has two grown-up daughters, Kate and Helena. She worked as a trademark attorney before studying for ordination on the East Anglian Ministerial Training Course, one of the C of E’s first non-residential training courses.

She was ordained in 2002 and served in Northampton, Kettering and Lincoln before moving to her current post in 2013. She has also been area dean for five years.

Bishop Christopher said: “Jenny comes to us with a wealth of experience in different parishes and also as area dean. Her very recent experience as a parish priest will be invaluable as she supports our own parish priests, and her wisdom will be helpful as we seek to move forward in mission.

“I look forward to working with her as a member of our senior staff, leading the diocese together as we seek to serve the communities around us.”

Archdeacons are responsible for specific geographical areas within a diocese, and their role includes taking a particular interest in church buildings, the welfare of clergy and their families and the implementation of diocesan policy for the sake of the gospel.