Meet the Steering Group

Chair

I’m Gill Newman (diocese of Chelmsford)

My calling to ordination came later in life following a career in education as an Early Years Teacher. I had started working as a Volunteer Chaplaincy Visitor at a hospital in East London and was humbled by the privilege of being able to ‘make the love of God visible’ at some of the most darkest moments of people’s lives. A desire to do this more fully began to grow within me and I entered the discernment process for ordination in the Church of England. During this process I felt very clearly that I was being called to the office of deacon rather than priest. I trained at St Mellitus in London, was ordained in 2017 and served my curacy at a church in Hackney. I currently live in Essex and am working part-time as Assistant Lead Chaplain at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. 

Secretary

I’m Mike Turnbull (diocese of Chichester). 

My Diaconal journey has its roots in my career as a neighbourhood Police officer. I served in West Yorkshire Police and later in Sussex Police, where I retired having completed 30 yrs service in 2008.  By then I was involved with church life and gradually felt drawn to explore ordained ministry in the Church.  

Right from the start of this process, I felt my eyes gazing beyond the church door and out into the community- “how does the church speak to those beyond its walls?” was the question that kept popping into my head and still does most days.  

After discernment, selection and training, I was ordained to the Distinctive Diaconate, at Chichester Cathedral, in June 2012. I moved into hospital Chaplaincy in Sept 2016, where I continue to reach out to those “beyond the church”. I also provide chaplaincy support to both serving and retired Police officers in East Sussex.

Treasurer and social media X manager @CofeDeacons

I’m David Bean (diocese of Southwell and Nottingham)

I was ordained in 2018, and am a distinctive deacon in the north Nottinghamshire market town of Retford, where my vocational exploration was ignited by a stint as a Street Pastor.

Throughout my period of discernment the one thing I was sure about was that I wasn’t called to be a priest! Then I read the ordinal for deacons, and, well, that was that, really! I just knew that the call to reach “into the forgotten corners of the world, that the love of God may be made visible” was for me.

I’m based in a parish with two churches, where I help with worship, preach, lead intercessions, nurture the spirituality of others and help them explore God’s call on their lives.

After a time as town centre chaplain, I am now also a part time chaplain to my local hospice – it’s an extraordinary privilege. As a self supporting minister, I have a “day job” in a local Christian almshouse charity.

Social media: Facebook moderator  https://www.facebook.com/DistinctivelyDeacon

I’m Rachel Fielding (diocese of Blackburn)

I spent many years working both part and full time as a Virger at Blackburn Cathedral – where I felt God had placed me. Following a chance conversation, I was led to question the role of Deacons outside of liturgy: the rest, you may say, is history and I was ordained July 2023 at Blackburn Cathedral. Previously I worked for the Methodist Home Association as Chaplain before moving to full time NHS Hospital Chaplain and handler of the Trust’s therapy dog. I am passionate about raising the awareness of the calling of Distinctive Deacon. 

Website Manager cofedeacons.org

I’m Angelika Bocchetti (diocese of Southwell and Nottingham)

I felt called to a life of ministry early on as a child and have been on a discernment journey ever since. While completing my degree in Theology at the University of Aberdeen, I was drawn to the groups of people who might not feel like they are at the centre of church. As I was exploring ministry in the Church of England, I was drawn particularly to the call in the ordinal for deacons to be ‘searching out the poor and weak, the sick and lonely and those who are oppressed and powerless, reaching into the forgotten corners of the world’. For me this has meant reflecting on how deacons can be bridgebuilders between church and world in their patch.
I trained at St Mellitus College, was ordained Distinctive Deacon in summer 2022 and am now serving a curacy in Nottingham while also serving as Senior Vocations Advisor for my diocese.

Community Educator, Common Awards Hub for diaconal formation resources

I’m Jonathan Halliwell (diocese of Europe)

With a background in teaching and research (PhD in Classics), I was ordained deacon in 2022 in Ghent (Diocese in Europe). I am also associate tutor in biblical Greek for the Eastern Region Ministry Course (ERMC).  I am serving my first year as assistant curate of St John & St Philip, the Hague, where I am enjoying a varied ministry as a DD representing the Church of England in Europe as a community educator (Faith & Order Commission). I am trying to be faithful to my ordination vow of “Reaching into the forgotten corners of the world, that the love of God may be made visible” by training as a port Chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers at Rotterdam.