Harpenden Rector appointed Archdeacon
The Revd Christopher and Mrs Anne Futcher
The Revd Christopher Futcher, Rector of St Nicholas’, Harpenden, for 11 years has been appointed Archdeacon of Exeter.
Having first heard a call to ordination when he was just 16, Christopher read theology at Edinburgh University, before ministerial training at Westcott House, Cambridge. He was ordained in St Albans Diocese in 1982, the same year as Archdeacon Paul Hughes and the Revd Richard Pyke, now Rector of Hatfield, among others. He has spent his whole ministry so far in the Diocese. Christopher has been particularly involved in work supporting and training clergy and lay ministers. He has also served in an ecumenical parish, and as a Diocesan Ecumenical Officer.
He is married to Anne, who is licensed as a Reader and the couple have two grown up children.
On hearing of the appointment, the Bishop of St Albans, the Right Revd Dr Alan Smith, said: “I know that Christopher will make a great contribution in the Diocese of Exeter, as he has in the Diocese of St Albans. He is a fine parish priest, who cares deeply for his flock. His ministry will long be remembered here by the people of Harpenden and beyond. We are also sorry to be losing his wife Anne, a Reader here, and I wish them both many blessings in their life in Exeter”.
Linzi James, former Churchwarden of St Nicholas who has known Christopher throughout his ministry there, said: “He has nurtured the people of St Nicholas to achieve many things in his eleven years ‘at the helm’. While I am extremely sorry to lose his ministry here in Harpenden I am very happy for the people of Exeter Diocese who will benefit from his wisdom and experience.”
Longstanding friend and colleague, The Archdeacon of Bedford , The Venerable Paul Hughes, said: “I am absolutely delighted to hear of Christopher’s appointment. He and Anne and the family will be hugely missed by the Diocese as a whole and us a family. We wish them the very best in Exeter.”
Mr Futcher will take up his new post after Easter.
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