Clergy honoured for contributions to church

The Acting Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher has appointed two new honorary canons of Christ Church Cathedral: the Revd Anthony Ellis, Team Rector of Kidlington with Hampton Poyle and Area Dean of Oxford, and the Revd Paul Williams, Rector of Gerrards Cross and Fulmer.

The title is in recognition of their contribution to the work of the Church and they will serve as 'ambassadors' for the cathedral in their parish or other ministry. There are only 24 honorary canons of Christ Church at any one time.

Mr Ellis has worked in parish ministry in the diocese since 1985 and has been involved in encouraging others to consider ordained ministry.

Mr Williams has made a significant contribution to training in the area of leadership.

The two new honorary canons will be installed along with the Revd Edwin Clements, Rector of the Churn Benefice (which incorporates Aston Tirrold, Blewbury, Hagbourne, the Moretons and Upton) and Area Dean of Wallingford, whose appointment as honorary canon was made public earlier this year.  The installation will take place at a service of evensong at Christ Church Cathedral presided over by the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, on Saturday 20 January 2007 at 6pm.

Short biographies of the new honorary canons can be found below.

The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher said:

“I am delighted, together with my colleagues on the Senior Staff, that Anthony Ellis and Paul Williams have agreed to accept our invitation to them to become Honorary Canons of Christ Church. They are both making a very significant contribution to the life of the Diocese through their differing ministries and I know that the Cathedral Chapter will hope to use them in ways that will further its life and mission in our midst. ”
 

The Revd Anthony Ellis

Anthony began his ministry in South Wales in 1972 before moving to Northamptonshire three years later. In 1985 he became Vicar of Stratfield Mortimer near Reading and spent 13 happy years in that group of parishes before coming to Kidlington and Hampton Poyle as Team Rector in 1998. Two years ago he was appointed Area Dean of Oxford. Anthony has spent all his ministry in parishes and finds this very rewarding. He has enjoyed encouraging others to consider ordination. His leisure time includes bellringing, walking, skiing, watching the sport he used to play and gardening. He is married to Kathryn.

The Revd Paul Williams

Paul grew up in Somerset and first sensed God leading him towards ordination in his early teens. After studying theology in Durham he served as the Youth Leader at St Andrew’s, Oxford, prior to ordination training at Wycliffe Hall. Paul returned to the Diocese of Oxford in 1999 as Rector of Gerrards Cross and Fulmer, having previously served as curate at St James, Muswell Hill and as Associate Vicar at Christ Church, Clifton. Paul has been responsible for the strategic development of both staff and lay ministry teams within St James, Gerrards Cross. In addition he has contributed to the work of the Diocesan Training team through courses supporting clergy in the area of leadership development, with a particular focus on leading teams. Paul is married to Sarah, and they have three primary school aged boys who fill the significant proportion of his leisure time.