The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, has announced she plans to retire at the end of January 2025.
Bishop Jackie has served as Bishop of Crediton for six years, after being consecrated a bishop in 2018.
For the last year she has been, in addition, the Acting Bishop of Exeter, overseeing the Diocese of Exeter since the retirement of Bishop Robert last September.
Bishop Jackie said: “It has been the privilege of my life to be the Bishop of Crediton for the last six years, and to have been appointed Acting Diocesan Bishop for the last year. From the time of my interview onwards I fell in love with the Diocese of Exeter and its wonderful people.
“We are blessed with fantastic church communities and congregations, schools, chaplaincies, clergy and laity; followers of Jesus who live out day by day the diocesan vision to pray, grow and serve the people of Devon with joy.
“This vision grabbed me from the start and has been my personal priority throughout. I have found great joy in the people of God here, and in my own ministry. There has been particular joy in working with such a gifted staff team, Old Deanery colleagues, and support staff – where relationships are strong and supportive. And the greatest joy of seeing God at work in people’s lives and communities. I will miss everyone here deeply. I am incredibly thankful for God’s calling and faithfulness and for all who have been, in any way, a part of this journey.”
Bishop Jackie’s retirement will come three months after the enthronement of the new Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Mike Harrison, at Exeter Cathedral on 2 November.
Bishop Mike said “I am already aware how Bishop Jackie is held in great affection across the Diocese of Exeter so it’s no doubt with a mixture of deep appreciation and sadness that the news of her impending retirement will be greeted.
“I am personally very grateful for Bishop Jackie’s role as Acting Diocesan Bishop and her helping me to prepare for my future role, and I will be sorry not to have her as an episcopal colleague for much longer. She and David leave with much love and prayer accompanying them as they move into a new phase of life and ministry.”
Bishop Jackie has been ordained over 32 years. She celebrated the 30th anniversary of her ordination as priest this year – along with others who were among the first women to be ordained priest in the Church of England in 1994.
Her ministry has been hugely varied, with seasons as a curate in London, in theological education in Bristol, as Vicar of Littleover, Derby, as Dean of Women’s Ministry for Derby Diocese, on General Synod for both Derby and Gloucester, as Archdeacon of Gloucester and Residentiary Canon of Gloucester Cathedral, before being made Bishop of Crediton in 2018.
She set up the Devon Church Weddings project to encourage more couples to consider having a church wedding, she was also integral to setting-up the Diocese of Exeter Wellbeing Panel, championing the wellbeing of clergy and their families. She also led the Diocese of Exeter church planting strategy.
Nationally, as a member of the College of Bishops and as a participant observer in the House of Bishops, she has been involved with the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ process and Chairs the Episcopal Wellbeing Group.
She and her husband, the Revd David Runcorn, were married soon after her ordination as a deacon in 1992, and they have two children – both of whom have married in the last two years.
She said of her decision to retire: “Ministry in the Church of England has been extremely varied, fulfilling, joyful, challenging and more than I could have ever imagined. It is though time now for a different rhythm of life with David and our family, recognising that everything has a time and a season. We look forward to seeing where and how God leads us.
“I am looking forward to welcoming Bishop Mike to his new role in November, and to working with him during his first few months. I will be watching on with a sense of hope once I leave, knowing that the diocese is in excellent hands.”
There will be a farewell service for Bishop Jackie at Exeter Cathedral in January.
