New CMD Officer Appointed
New CMD Officer and Priest in charge of St. John’s, Palmeira Square, Hove appointed.
Canon Rebecca Swyer, Director for Apostolic Life, welcomed the appointment saying: ‘It’s a great pleasure to announce the appointment of our new CMD Officer (Continuing Ministerial Development Officer). The Revd Dr Earl Collins will be working in this important post which seeks to offer support, advice and training to clergy and licensed lay ministers for their ongoing theological and ministerial development and their spiritual and vocational formation.’
Earl is currently working as theology lecturer and Acting Vice Principal at Westcott House theological college, where he has greatly enjoyed preparing female and male ordinands for ordained ministry.
He was born and brought up in Belfast, where he believes he learnt the importance of ecumenism and respect for diverse church traditions. He was for many years a Benedictine monk and abbot, in Ireland and the Holy Land. He joined the Church of England last summer after a period of discernment.
Earl trained in Orthodox Theology but has a great love also for Anglican, Lutheran and Reformed theology - and especially for Christian spirituality and mysticism. He has studied psychology in depth and teaches for the NY Jung Centre.
Earl has also had a long ministry of giving retreats, supporting clergy, teaching spirituality and theology, and leading days of recollection. Earl will also be a half-time priest in charge at St. John’s, Palmeira Square in Hove. He says: “I am thrilled at this call to a new ministry. I’m looking forward very much to serving the people of St John the Baptist, Hove, and supporting continuing ministerial development for clergy and licensed lay ministers in the diocese!”
The licensing date will be confirmed in due course.
