Blog by Rev Betsy Blatchley, Pioneer Minister in the Arts, leading Nine Elms Arts Ministry
It was announced recently that, after seven years as Pioneer Minister in the Arts in Nine Elms, I will be taking up the post of Abbey Missioner at Bath Abbey later this year. I am hugely grateful for this amazing new opportunity to lead in mission in one of the most visited Christian places of worship in the UK, and for all the possibilities that will offer, and I am looking forward very much to working with the team at the Abbey and across the wider city of Bath.
It has been an incredibly hard decision to move from my post in Southwark, and from leading Nine Elms Arts Ministry which I will miss hugely. The past seven years have been some of the most exciting and joy-filled of all my 22 years in ministry. I am immensely proud of all we have achieved and humbled by the amazing people I have had the privilege to collaborate and connect with – not least our incredible core team who have prayed, planned and delivered projects alongside me. We still have lots planned over the next few months, and I look forward to joining in all the excitement of Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture activities.
As I reflect on the journey since I arrived in Nine Elms in 2018, more than anything I want to give thanks for God’s faithfulness. We began with very little, surrounded by building sites and with just a burgeoning vision of how the power of creativity and faith might bless this dramatically changing community. I am so grateful to the Diocese of Southwark and Battersea Fields Parish for their foresight in creating the role that I have been privileged to inhabit for these past seven years, and for all of those across Battersea, Nine Elms and the wider Wandsworth area, who have embraced our ministry and partnered with and supported us.
Many people know Nine Elms Arts Ministry from our large-scale projects such as the Nine Elms Advent Calendar art trails and our recent ‘HeART of Christmas’ immersive exhibition at art’otel at Battersea Power Station, which have connected us to thousands of residents and visitors, and brought together the creative, business and voluntary sector communities. But our ongoing Creative Soul, health and wellbeing programme has allowed us connect deeply on a more regular basis with many residents, through our weekly dance sessions, our Creative Soul cafes and our pop-up family events and more recently our Soul Space initiative which explores Christian spirituality through creativity. I have been so touched by the testimonies of so many participants for whom these events have had a profound and sometimes life-changing impact. There have also been some surprising one-off opportunities with incredible partnerships like Porsche and Apple that are certainly not often part of the life of a priest!
There is still so much to do in Nine Elms around building community, nurturing wellbeing and sharing God’s amazing love with the wonderful people who live, work and visit here. Over the coming months we will be exploring what this might look like over the next few years and I look forward to being able to share more soon.
The Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough, Bishop of Kingston adds:
I am very pleased for Betsy but equally will be sad to see her go. Betsy has worked tirelessly and with skill and creativity in a challenging but vibrant and extremely important mission context. I am determined that we continue to be a Christian presence in Nine Elms connecting with all those seeking meaning and purpose, and the life of which the gospel speaks.
The Rev. Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey, said:
We are blessed that Betsy will be joining us as Abbey Missioner, helping to lead in the Abbey’s call and strategy to “live and tell the Good News of Jesus”. We look forward to welcoming Betsy and working alongside her as she embarks on this hugely exciting role.
Betsy’s leaving and licensing dates in the summer will be announced in due course.
