Announcement: New Deputy Warden appointed for Cranmer Hall

Appointment of a new Deputy Warden at Cranmer Hall

We are delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Emma Parker as Deputy Warden of Cranmer Hall.   

Raised and educated in Sunderland, Emma achieved a First in Theology before receiving a distinction in her MA in Theological Research – both at Durham University. Having taught New Testament for a short time at St John’s Anglican Seminary in Zambia, Emma trained for ministry at Ridley Hall Cambridge before returning to Durham Diocese in 2009 for her curacy.  Since 2012 she has served at Easington and Easington Colliery, most recently as priest-in-charge; in this role she overseen significant development of lay teams and mission initiatives in a demanding missionary context.  She is also undertaking PhD study in Durham under Prof John Barclay.

Emma will work closely with Revd Dr Philip Plyming in overseeing the life of Cranmer Hall, taking particular responsibility for developing new ways in which Cranmer Hall can train women and men in the North East for mission and ministry.

Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Warden of Cranmer Hall, said:

‘I look forward greatly to welcoming Emma as a colleague and Deputy Warden. Her track record of fruitful  mission and ministry in some challenging settings in the North East, together with her excellent theological research and teaching, means that she is exceptionally well equipped to strengthen the ways in which Cranmer Hall trains women and men for Christ-centred ministry in and beyond the North East.  I am excited to be having someone of Emma’s outstanding gifts joining what is already an excellent Cranmer Hall team.

The Principal of St John’s College, Revd Prof. David Wilkinson, commented:

‘It is a privilege to have someone such as Emma join the Cranmer Hall team, bringing the highest theological ability with experience of renewal and growth in one of the toughest areas of the country.’

Revd Emma Parker added:

‘I’m delighted to be joining the Cranmer Hall community; it’s a very exciting time to be training the next generation of church leaders for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the church seeks to embody God’s love and grace in every community. Cranmer Hall is a very special place embedded in a very special part of the world, and I’m thrilled to be able to serve the North East and the Church in a new way.’