Church Army are thrilled at the news released today by Downing Street and the Diocese of Canterbury that Church Army Commissioned Evangelist Rose Hudson-Wilkin has been appointed as Bishop of Dover.
Rose, currently Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and a Chaplain to The Queen, was Commissioned as a Church Army Evangelist in 1982. Alongside her duties as Chaplain to the Speaker, she is Priest-in-Charge of St Mary at Hill Eastcheap in the City of London – a church where Church Army founder Prebendary Wilson Carlile was Rector at the turn of the 19th to 20th Century.
Earlier this month Rose preached at and led the closing communion service at Church Army’s National Gathering (Conference), speaking with passion about her ministry and walk with God, and the opportunities she has to share her faith with the people she meets in her day-to-day life at Westminster and beyond.
Speaking of her appointment, Rose said: “I would like to thank Church Army for giving me my first role in full-time ministry. The foundation Church Army gave me in evangelism has been at the heart of my ministry throughout the years. This passion for the gospel will continue into my new ministry. I am excited to have been called to be the next Bishop of Dover in the Diocese of Canterbury with its long history of Christian witness. I am looking forward to journeying with the people of Kent, celebrating the good work that is already happening there and working together with its religious and secular leaders to ensure that the good news of hope, love and justice remains at the heart of our changed lives together.”
Chief Executive of Church Army, Mark Russell says: “What fantastic news. I am thrilled that Rose has been called to be the next Bishop of Dover. She has been a Church Army Evangelist for many years and has been a pioneer everywhere she has served. I am delighted for Rose and Ken and for the whole Church – this is a truly groundbreaking, historic and inspirational appointment!”
