Mansfield school chaplain is a first

A woman priest will take up a role as the first full-time schools chaplain for the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham tomorrow. The Revd Angela Smythe will be licensed into her new role as School Chaplain in the Deanery of Mansfield for the Queen Elizabeth’s (1561) Endowed School and the new Samworth Church Academy in Mansfield.

The Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt Revd Tony Porter will lead a special licensing service for Angela at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Chesterfield Road, Mansfield, on Wednesday, 21st May 2008 at 9.15am – photographers are welcome.

Angela, who is married to Peter, a local businessman, said she is looking forward to the new work. She said: “I’m just really happy to be going to work with the students at both schools and be there for them. This kind of work in schools is the future mission of the church. In your average church there is often under 20 young people attending each week, but I have the potential to see 2,200 students a week, along with being there for all the teachers and support staff.”

Director of Education for the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, the Revd Dr Howard Worsley said: “The creation of this new role demonstrates the importance that the diocese places on working in emergent contexts (an academy), existing contexts (a VA school) and with the mission and nurture of young people. Church Schools are presenting us with new possibilities for partnerships between local government, national government and the Church. In this instance the diocesan education department has worked with the Mansfield deanery, the Queen Elizabeth's School and with the Samworth Church Academy to create the new post of Schools' Chaplain.

The Revd Angie Smythe comes to the post with a strong knowledge of the Mansfield area and with a particular focus on engaging with teenagers.  I expect to see fresh opportunities for mission to be identified as Angie develops the role of chaplaincy, particularly as the new academy opens in September.”

Angela was ordained as a deacon in 1987 after training at St John’s Theological College, she went on to work in parishes in Forest Town and Pleasley Hill and was ordained as a priest in 1994. She was vicar of Pleasley Hill from 1994 to 2003 and was also Area Dean of Mansfield. Before being appointed as school chaplain, Angela, was Priest-in-Charge of St Christopher’s Church, Sneinton.

Angela and Peter have two grown-up children who both work as teachers.

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