New Archdeacon of Hastings welcomed
The diocese recently welcomed the Revd Russell Dewhurst as Archdeacon of Hastings during a Choral Evensong at St Dunstan’s Church in Mayfield.
The joyful occasion marked a significant moment, ahead of his installation which takes place next weekend, in Chichester Cathedral on Saturday 29 November at 5.30pm, in the context of Choral Evensong.
Russell studied physics in Oxford and, following work as an IT consultant, trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge.
After a rural curacy on the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border he ministered in the city of Oxford and in Ewell, Surrey.
Russell then moved to the Diocese of Chichester in 2021 and has assisted parishes in vacancy around West Sussex. He has been one of the two acting Archdeacons of Chichester since January as he completes a Doctorate in Anglican canon law.
He lives with his wife and son, both of whom regularly beat him at tennis!
Russell said: "It has been a wonderful experience to be Acting Archdeacon here in West Sussex and I look forward to getting to know the clergy, churchwardens, parishes, schools, and chaplaincies of Hastings Archdeaconry. We know there are many challenges but also many opportunities for the Church today, and I pray that my work as archdeacon may help to ‘equip the saints for the work of ministry’ as together we seek to serve God in East Sussex."
The Bishop welcomed the appointment and said: "Those who interviewed Russell for this post saw in him the qualities of a pastor and a wise guide who would make the kind of archdeacon that we look for today.”
Clergy, laity, and friends from across the diocese will join Russell in the celebrations on Saturday.
Pictured: Bishop Ruth, Russell, Bishop Martin and Bishop Will
Photos from the Mayfield event can be viewed on our Facebook post here