It is with great joy that we announce that the Revd Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel has been invited to take up the post of Archdeacon of the East and Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe, in succession to the Ven. Colin Williams.

Canon Nathaniel is currently Chaplain of St Thomas à Becket, Hamburg; he will resign that position effective from 16 October 2019, in order to be commissioned and licensed to his new Archediaconal ministry on 17 October, subject to the completion of the usual formalities.

Announcing this news, Bishop Robert and Bishop David said:

“Leslie brings a wealth of pastoral and cross-cultural experience to his new role. He is fluent in several languages. He is, of course, already familiar with the challenges of serving as a Chaplain in our extensive diocese. He knows the German context well, having been a member of the CAECG, the Council of Anglican and Episcopal Churches in Germany, as well as having served previously as the Anglican Co-Secretary of the Meissen Commission. In a former role as Ecumenical Officer at Lambeth Palace, he developed a wide experience of relations with the Nordic and Baltic Porvoo Churches, the Old Catholic Churches, the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Roman Catholic Church.”

“We ask that you give your support to the Archdeacon designate, and that you remember him and his wife Julie in your prayers as he takes on this new role. And of course, we pray for the parish of St Thomas à Becket, Hamburg, who are now preparing to say farewell to their much-loved Chaplain.”

“We are very grateful to the Revd Canon Adèle Kelham and the Revd Canon John Newsome who have been prepared to take on extra duties as Acting Archdeacons during the past months. John, who will remain Area Dean of Germany, and Adèle, who will remain Archdeacon of Switzerland, will continue to manage a smooth handover during the autumn.”

Canon Leslie said:

"The invitation by Bishop Robert and Bishop David to take up the post as Archdeacon of the East and of Germany and the North is a great honour which I deeply appreciate. Above all it is an expression of trust that I can carry out the considerable responsibilities of this role, and I shall put my best energies into fulfilling them."

"Building trust between myself and the clergy and congregations in these two Archdeaconries will be a priority in taking up my duties, along with getting to know the individual and vastly differing contexts in which the individual chaplaincies find themselves in this far-flung region. Thankfully I can build on many links from previous visits to these parts of our Diocese. I look forward to our personal encounters and common engagements in our Christian witness and service."

"Here I also want to say that this step involves the painful leave-taking as chaplain of St. Thomas à Becket, Hamburg. I have been greatly enriched by its vibrant congregation and the wider ecumenical relationships that we have enjoyed. This experience will serve me in good stead in my Archdeacon’s ministry."

Photo: Andreas Laible / HA