- Moira will be consecrated on 3 July at St Paul’s Cathedral
The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Moira Anne Elizabeth Astin, Archdeacon of Reigate, in the Diocese of Southwark, to the Suffragan See of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter, Downing Street has announced this morning.
Moira has served for nine years as Archdeacon of Reigate, her new role will see her serve the whole of Devon, with particular care for North Devon, Mid Devon and East Devon.
Moira said, “I am grateful for my time in Southwark Diocese, and for the ways in which I have been prepared for this next stage in ministry by all I have learnt from the people of East Surrey and South London, and from my colleagues. I am also grateful for the students on the Bishops Certificate course and at St Augustine’s College of Theology, whose questions have helped me discover more of God’s grace as they made me think more carefully about all God has taught us.”
The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun said, “Moira has been a highly effective colleague as Archdeacon of Reigate renewing mission and ministry in the parishes within her charge, particularly among families and young people. Moira’s interests in ecclesiastical law and history, especially the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Church, allow her to take the long view in developing parishes and chaplaincies. I give thanks that her many gifts and zeal for mission will soon be bearing fruit in the Diocese of Exeter.”
The Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon said, “Reigate’s loss is Crediton’s gain. Moira is a passionate and effective advocate for rural mission and ministry. As Archdeacon of Reigate, the most rural part of the Diocese of Southwark, Moira devised creative ways to encourage and build partnerships between people and churches for the work of kingdom building. Her skills and talents will be sorely missed.”
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Revd Dr Mike Harrison, a former incumbent in the Diocese of Southwark, said “I am delighted that Moira is joining the diocese as the new Bishop of Crediton. Moira brings decades of practical experience of ministry in various roles as well as being a theologian, published author and natural teacher. Her passion for supporting parochial ministry, her pastoral gifts and her evident Christian spirituality will enrich the Diocese of Exeter and I am greatly looking forward to working with her.”
Moira was born in 1965 and grew up in Staines in Surrey. She studied Natural Sciences specialising in Geology at Clare College, Cambridge. After some years working in computing, she trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
Her curacy was at Newbury in West Berkshire, in Oxford Diocese, followed by five years as Team Vicar in nearby Thatcham, Vicar of St James in Woodley near Reading, before moving to North Lincolnshire where she served as Vicar of Frodingham and New Brumby, in the heart of Scunthorpe, and as Area Dean of North Lincolnshire.
She teaches Church History and Doctrine and has recently published The Missing Ending: Rediscovering the Joy of the Ascension.
Moira is married to Timothy and they have one son, Edmund (Ed). She enjoys bird-watching, geology and is researching the history of the Church in England between 400AD and 600AD.
Moira adds, “I am particularly looking forward to getting to know some of Devon’s historic churches and seeing again the amazing geology of some areas of North Devon, like the Hartland Peninsula and the Valley of the Rocks, near Lynton. I am also looking forward to discovering the places where our British Christian forebears worshipped.”
The Diocesan Secretary, Nicola Thomas said, “Moira’s practical experience from many years of ministry as an Archdeacon in this diverse diocese will be a huge asset. We are incredibly thankful for Moira’s years of service in Southwark and we wish her well as she takes on this new and exciting role.”
On her announcement day Moira will tour her new episcopal area, visiting the churches and communities of Westward Ho! Appledore, Crediton as well as St Peter’s CofE Secondary School in Exeter. She will meet some of her new colleagues when she attends Evensong at Exeter Cathedral.
