THE new Archdeacon for the Isle of Man is Canon Andrew Brown, Canon Theologian at Derby Cathedral. His appointment is announced today (Saturday).
The Queen has given official approval to the appointment of Canon Brown who arrived on the Isle of Man this afternoon (Saturday) to succeed the Venerable Brian Smith who retires as Archdeacon in September after 6 years.
At the same time the Bishop of Sodor and Man, Rt Rev Robert Paterson, has appointed Canon Brown as vicar of St George’s church, Douglas.
In the post of Archdeacon he will have responsibility for Church of England parishes across the Diocese.
“I am very pleased that Canon Andie Brown has accepted this post and sees it as a next step in his Christian ministry,” said Bishop Paterson
“He brings skills in organisation, commitment to outreach, and experience of working with individuals and teams. I look forward to working closely with him in continuing to support churches in this diocese as they develop their involvement with their local communities.”
Andie Brown has been Canon Theologian at Derby cathedral since 2003 when he took up the post of Continuing Ministerial Education Adviser for clergy and lay people of the Diocese, working with the Mission and Ministry Team.
In this role he has helped people to develop their gifts and skills in their ministry and mission with the church. In parish posts before joining the cathedral, Canon Brown had seen growth in membership of churches where he worked, and in their involvement with the local community.
“I am thrilled to be coming to work as Archdeacon with a visionary Bishop to help him deliver a programme of creative change and missional engagement in the churches” he said.
“Having worked in Derby Cathedral which is also a Parish Church, I am really delighted to have the opportunity to continue this kind of hands on ministry as Vicar of St George Douglas.”
Canon Brown will be installed as Archdeacon in the Cathedral church of St German, Peel, on the afternoon of October 15. He will be installed as Vicar of St George's in Douglas the following morning.
Mr Brown studied theology at Ridley Hall, Cambridge and was ordained in 1980. He spent three years as a curate at St Peter’s, Burnley, a town centre civic church where he began work with young people whilst serving as chaplain to the Burnley Hospitals.
A further three years as assistant curate of All Saints Elton and as Priest-in-Charge of St Francis, Brandlehome followed where there was a great increase in the number of young people and their families in the congregations.
From 1986, and for ten years following, he served as the Vicar of St Peter’s, Ashton-under-Lyne, bringing renewal and revival into a crumbling church by developing its place in and with the local community.
Then from 1996 to 2003 until his appointment in the Diocese of Derby he served as the vicar of St Luke’s, Halliwell near Bolton where the church played a full part in the life of the town. Andie is married to Jane and they have three daughters.
