Dear friends,
It was announced this morning that I will be moving to a new post to become the Vicar of All Saints’, Margaret Street, in the West End. This means I will cease to be vicar of St Benet’s on Easter Day 2021.
This announcement brings a range of emotions in me: excitement at the prospect of a new role; but also great sadness to be leaving St Benet’s. I will have been vicar of St Benet’s 8 years by the time I leave, and it will be a huge wrench to leave this wonderful parish.
There will be many opportunities to discuss the ins and outs of what happens during the interregnum at a later time, but I would emphasise that you will be very well looked after under Bishop Jonathan’s care as he goes about the process of finding you a new vicar.
I want to thank you all for the friendship, care, support and joy you have given me over the past 8 years. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve you as your parish priest.
Here is the official text of the announcement below:
“The churchwardens of All Saints’, Margaret Street, are pleased to announce the appointment of the Revd Dr Peter Anthony as the next vicar of All Saints’.
Fr Peter has been the parish priest of St Benet’s, Kentish Town, for the past seven years. Before that he ministered in Oxford as Junior Dean of St Stephen’s House and Junior Chaplain of Merton College. He served his curacy at St Mary and Christ Church, Hendon. Fr Peter is originally from Lancashire and first came to the Diocese of London to work as a pastoral assistant at St Paul’s, Tottenham. He studied Modern languages (French and German) as an undergraduate at Magdalen College, Oxford, and was formed for ordination at St Stephen’s House, Oxford.
The Bishops of Fulham and London issued the following statement: “We are both delighted that Fr Peter has accepted our invitation to become the next vicar of All Saints’, Margaret Street. His appointment follows a rigorous process, including advertisement and interviews in which we both participated. Like us, Fr Peter is committed to the mutual flourishing of everyone at All Saints’, and the revitalisation of the mission and ministry of the parish. We are convinced Fr Peter brings the gifts, skills, and experience to help make that a reality, and we assure the whole parish of our prayers.”
Fr Peter said: “I consider it a huge privilege to be called by God to serve the parish of All Saints, Margaret Street, as its new vicar and I look forward to moving there in the summer. The potential for outreach, renewal, and growth at All Saints’ is immense. I pray that God will give us the insight to sense afresh where he is calling us to serve him as we embark on this new chapter in the parish’s long and distinguished history. Please keep me in your prayers, as I keep you in mine.”
Fr Peter will leave St Benet’s on Easter Day 2021, and his collation and induction as Vicar of All Saints’ will take place on Thursday 20th May 2021 at 7.00 pm.”
Please keep me in your prayers over the coming months, as I will keep you all in mine.
Fr Peter Anthony