Diocese of Chichester

Bishop Martin writes:

Canon Ann Waizeneker retires this month, leaving St Mary de Haura, Shoreham and moving to Worcester. We shall miss her so much! She was ordained here in 2008 and became Dean of Women’s Ministry in 2017.

The consultation process for her successor as Dean was led by Bishop Ruth. To widen the role, it has been decided to appoint the Revd Helen Garratt (pictured left) as Dean and the Revd Martha Mutikani as Assistant Dean.

Helen is Associate Vicar of St Peter’s, Brighton: she is also Assistant Rural Dean of Brighton and an Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands. Martha is Associate Vicar in the Uckfield plurality and works part-time as a nurse practitioner. They will be commissioned in the Cathedral at Evensong at 3.00 pm on Sunday 6 February.

The appointment of Helen and Martha feels like an expression of confidence among ordained women in the diocese of Chichester, with an unquestioned recognition that they are integral to its life. Helen and Martha will undoubtedly ensure that, in nurturing vocations and making appointments, we continue to shape the exercise of ordained ministry in ways that reflect the needs and aspirations of the parishes we serve. 

The new Dean and Assistant Dean will decide between them how to share the role, which includes membership of the Bishop’s Staff Meeting where the work to expand the number of ordained women, and the range of posts they hold, is closely monitored.

“Leadership and mission in the Church needs the unique voice and experiences of women called to ordained ministry,” Helen observed, on being appointed, while Martha spoke of the “great women who saw beyond themselves” and who have influenced and sustained her own ministry.

The quality and range of women’s ministry in this diocese owes so much to those who pioneered against the odds to find acceptance. As Ann hands on the responsibility for building on the work of others in expanding the role of ordained women, we say thank you to her for all that she has done to move the diocese forward with a spirit of mutual understanding that is a tribute to her own style and example of ministry.

Do pray for Helen, Martha & for Ann and for the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead.