Diocese of Chichester

Canon Rebecca Swyer, Director for Apostolic Life, says: “It’s a great pleasure to announce the appointment of the Revd Giles Carpenter as Diocesan Director of Vocations (DDV). 

In this new 0.6 role, Giles will oversee the exciting and essential work of proactively nurturingvocations to ordained ministry to serve God’s mission.” The role will include some aspects of the Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) role, including working with Bishop Martin and Rebecca on the strategic deployment of those in training, and accompanying candidates through the formal discernment process. Giles will be working alongside Fr Robert Norbury (Deputy DDO) and - in due course - with the support of an additional 0.5 DDO post.

Giles is currently Vicar at St John’s Meads in Eastbourne and is Rural Dean for Eastbourne. For the last 7 years he has been an Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands (ADDO).

Prior to ordination, Giles was a director for one of Sussex’s oldest Land and Country House Agents where he was responsible for staff recruitment and development.

Before moving to Chichester diocese, Giles trained as a Reader in Guildford Diocese and later at Trinity College Bristol where he headed up a Chaplaincy team for Bristol Cathedral. He served his curacy back in Guildford Diocese before taking up his current post in Eastbourne 11 years ago.

Commenting on his appointment, Giles said: “A huge part of my own professional development, and my growth in faith, is down to those who saw something in me and gave me both encouragement and the opportunities to serve. Whether in my professional career, in parish ministry or as part of the diocesan vocations team; that early experience has fueled a lifelong passion to see the gifts of others fanned into flame.

Together, with the vocations team, and in collaboration with our dedicated colleagues in parishes, I believe we can build on the solid foundations laid by my predecessor the Revd Canon Dr Keir Shreeves and see a genuine revival in the numbers of people offering themselves for vocational ministry. Having seen my own parish enriched by growth in the diversity of the congregation I am especially keen to encourage an increase in the numbers of candidates from under-represented groups as we seek to raise up ordained leaders from diverse backgrounds, with the gifts and skills to build up the household of faith here in the Diocese of Chichester and beyond.”

Bishop Martin says: “It is very good news indeed that Giles is taking on this very important role.He is passionate about serving congregations, schools and communities across Sussex.He knows this work from his own experience as a parish priest.His enthusiasm is infectious; his strategic and spiritual approach is effective.”

Giles is married to Rachel and together they have three grown-up children. He has completed several pilgrimages and enjoys nothing better than striking out for the hills with the family’s German Pointer. Giles has been a founding trustee of befriending charity Linking Lives Eastbourne and is a trustee for Beachy Head Chaplaincy.

Giles will take up his new role as Director of Vocations on 6^th May.