The Revd Jonathan Sedgwick is to be the new Archdeacon of Southwark in the Diocese of Southwark. Jonathan, who is Rector of St George Martyr with St Alphege and St Jude, has been acting Archdeacon since June when Jane Steen left to become Bishop of Lynn.
The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, said, “I am delighted that the Revd Jonathan Sedgwick has accepted my invitation to be the next Archdeacon of Southwark. Jonathan has ministered in the Diocese of Southwark since 1997 and brings both pastoral wisdom and acumen to this role from his time as an incumbent and a senior civil servant who also ministered in a non-stipendiary capacity before his seven years at St George the Martyr Southwark. His missional focus, care of the clergy and strategic gifts have been very much appreciated by his colleagues while serving for six months as Acting Archdeacon and will equip him well in his future ministry. I commend him to your prayers.”
Speaking of his appointment Jonathan said, “I am very excited to be taking on this role full-time. This is a wonderful archdeaconry full of faithful and talented clergy, lay leaders and congregations all working hard to share the good news of God’s love. We serve a borough which is one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse in the country. I rejoice in that and I strongly support our Anti-Racism Charter and work with young families as we seek to minister to all our communities and play our part in improving the life chances of all our young people.”
He continued, “I am well aware how tired and anxious many people are as we face another wave of the pandemic. I will do my best to support all our clergy and congregations as we recover. And I pray that in this Christmas season we may all know in our hearts that in the birth of Jesus, God has truly come among us.”
The Bishop of Woolwich, the Rt Revd Dr Karowei Dorgu, said, “I am delighted that Jonathan will be joining Archdeacon Alastair Cutting and me as part of our Woolwich TRIO as the next Archdeacon of Southwark. He is a very gifted priest and pastor, who has brought so much to the Parish, Area and Diocese. I look forward to our partnership in the gospel of Christ in Woolwich Area.”
Jonathan’s last working day at St George’s will be Mothering Sunday (27 March 2022). He will be installed as Archdeacon in early May.
Biography
Jonathan was born in Sheffield where many members of his family still live. He describes himself as a “Proud Yorkshireman!”
He read Law at Brasenose College, Oxford and then spent a year teaching in Ghana before attending the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield where he also read a Theology Degree at Leeds University.
He was ordained priest in 1990 and served his curacy at St Paul’s Church in Chichester. From 1991-94 Jonathan was Dean of Divinity at Magdalen College in Oxford where he also taught Theology.
In 1994 he began a period away from full-time ministry and joined the Home Office, serving in a number of different roles, including as Principal Private Secretary to Home Secretary David Blunkett and Deputy Chief Executive of the Border Agency. During this time, he also served as a self-supporting assistant priest at St John’s East Dulwich and St Christopher’s Walworth.
Jonathan returned to full-time ministry in 2014 and has served at St George the Martyr ever since. His final Sunday at St George’s will be on 27 March, Mothering Sunday. He will remain as Acting Archdeacon until his installation and commissioning in early May.
Jonathan loves spending time with his family and especially walking, running, cooking, music and the theatre.
