New Archdeacon of Harlow

Martin Webster (right) with Bishop John Gladwin and Chris Newlands following tonight's service

Commission For Mission member Revd. Canon Martin Webster was tonight collated and installed as Archdeacon of Harlow in a service held at Chelmsford Cathedral.

Martin has served in the Archdeaconry of Harlow for the last twenty three years, where he was most recently Team Rector of Waltham Abbey Team Ministry and an honorary Canon of the Cathedral.

The choir from Waltham Abbey conducted by their Director of Music, Stephen Bullamore, led the worship. Martin was collated and installed by Bishop John Gladwin in one of his last functions as Bishop of Chelmsford. Bishop David preached using salt and light as images to describe the ministry that he anticipates for Martin in his new role. Bishop David also spoke about the creativity that Martin will bring to the role, highlighting his love of landscape painting.

News from 'Church Times'

Commission For Mission is featured in an article written by Glyn Paflin in today's Church Times. Entitled 'Society backs craftsmanship' the article, which features our launch event in March, suggests that churches may be em­boldened in their commissioning of contemporary art by the setting up of Commission For Mission and the example of St Albans Romford, our launch venue.

Also in the current edition of the Church Times is the news that the Revd. Canon Martin Webster, Team Rector of the Waltham Abbey & Holy Cross Team Ministry and a Commission For Mission member, is to become the next Archdeacon of Harlow. We wish Martin well in his new ministry and look forward to exploring with him and others ways of contributing to the rich artistic heritage of Harlow itself.

Martin Webster

Martin Webster is interested in promoting Christian Art as a form of engaging with the gospel. He paints (oils and acrylics) particularly 'sacred spaces' usually forest/landscape views. He is the Archdeacon of Harlow.