On Thursday afternoon, December 6th, 2012, Bishop Michael Ingham announced to Synod Staff that he has appointed current diocesan Director for Mission and Ministry, Rev. Douglas Fenton, Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese. Douglas will succeed the Ven. Ronald Harrison who retires on December 31st, 2012.
Since March of 2011, Douglas has given oversight to the Ministry Assessment Process(MAP), provided staff support for diocesan ministry and mission planning initiatives through all the instruments of the diocese, been staff support on numerous diocesan committees and working groups.
Prior to March of 2011, Douglas was for nine years in the national office of The Episcopal Church in New York City finishing out his ministry February 28th, 2011, as Officer for Young Adult and Campus Ministries. Prior to 2002, Douglas served here in the Diocese of New Westminster, at St. Catherine, Port Coquitlam and St James. He was also the Chair of Interim Ministry.
Since Douglas resumed his ministry in the Diocese of New Westminster in
his new role he has been instrumental in developing new and exciting programs such as the Diocesan School for Leadership. He has also made enormous contributions, facilitating the
arrival of new clergy to the diocese. Through his many contacts made
during his 31 years of ordained ministry (including the nine years at
TEC), Douglas was largely responsible for the search process that
brought: the Rev. Fr. Daebin Im to Holy Cross, the Reverend Vivian Lam
to St. Matthias and St. Luke and Father Michael Fuller to St. John's
(Shaughnessy).
In his December 6th announcement Bishop Michael told staff that it takes three people to do the job of "bishop," the Bishop, the Administrative Assistant to the bishop,(currently the Rev. Eileen Nurse) and the Executive Archdeacon.
In many ways the Executive Archdeacon's office is the "nerve centre" of the Synod Office. The Executive Archdeacon provides overall management of the Diocesan Office, coordinating clergy appointments and assisting parishes in finding clergy during times of transition. The Executive Archdeacon is the first contact for information about the sometimes complicated matters of church governance, and coordinates the discernment and ordination process for clergy. The Executive Archdeacon insures the ordering, licensing and deployment of clergy throughout the diocese. The Executive Archdeacon is also an Officer of the Diocese.
Congratulations and best wishes to Douglas and please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he embarks on this new phase of ministry.