New Archdeacon of Walsall
The Revd Julian Francis is to become the new Anglican Archdeacon of Walsall. Currently Vicar of St George’s, Edgbaston, in the Birmingham Diocese, Julian is eagerly anticipating his new role, in which he will have responsibility for churches across a large part of South Staffordshire, as well as in the Black Country.
Julian (59) is married to Jane, who has a lead role in Birmingham Children’s Trust adoption service. They have four children. A welcome service for Julian and the new Wolverhampton Episcopal Area team of the Diocese of Lichfield will take place at St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton, on 17 November. More details HERE.
New Salvation Army Divisional Leaders
On Monday 15 July, Lieutenant-Colonel Joao Paulo (JP) Ramos became Commander of the West Midlands Division of the Salvation Army. From his base in Birmingham, JP leads a Division stretching from Worcestershire to North Staffs, and from Shrewsbury to Coventry.
Lieutenant-Colonel Karin Ramos will be in charge of Leader Development in the Salvation Army’s West Midlands Division. JP and Karin, who have served as Salvation Army officers in Portugal, Sweden and the UK, have three grown-up children.
New Chair of the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent Methodist District
Revd Helen Kirk (pictured) has become Chair of the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District of the Methodist Church. She was welcomed at a special service in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, on Friday 30 August. The service was led by Revd Ruth Gee, Assistant Secretary of the Methodist Conference. Helen was ordained in 1999, serving in the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District until 2014, when she became Superintendent of the Vale of Aylesbury Circuit.
