The Anglican Communion’s Director of Unity, Faith and Order, Dr Will Adam; and the Director for Administration and Logistics, Stephanie Taylor, will leave their positions in the coming months to pursue new roles. Both are currently based at the Anglican Communion Office (ACO), the London-based secretariat of the global Anglican Communion.
Will Adam has been appointed to serve as the next Archdeacon of Canterbury and Residentiary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Stephanie Taylor will become Director of Governance at the Isle of Wight College, a further and higher education institution.
Speaking of his new appointment, Will Adam said: “it’s a great honour and pleasure to be invited to take up this role. Canterbury is a place very close to my heart – as it has been for pilgrims from around the world for centuries. I’m excited by the opportunities for mission and ministry in Canterbury Diocese and the Cathedral as they work towards building a flourishing and sustainable future for their communities. I can’t wait to get to know the parishes, churches and communities of the Archdeaconry as we work together in God’s service.”
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Most Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, commented: “I am pleased that Will Adam will be taking up this significant post in Canterbury. He comes with long experience as a parish priest and pastor which has been informed by his work in the world Church. We will miss him at the Anglican Communion Office but congratulate Will and the Cathedral and Diocese of Canterbury on this news.”
Welcoming his appointment, the Bishop of Dover, the Right Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, said: “I am looking forward enormously to Will joining the senior staff team of our diocese. He comes to us with a breadth of experience and an openness and willingness to learn more - so that together as the Body of Christ we may continue the journey towards becoming a flourishing community. I have every confidence that Will and his family will settle well into our diocese and enjoy the varied tapestry of life that Canterbury has to offer. We hold him and his family in our prayers as they say their farewells and prepare to join us.”
Speaking of her new appointment, Stephanie Taylor said: “the Isle of Wight College has an outstanding reputation serving the local community. I am delighted to have been appointed Director of Governance, and to have the opportunity to continue and develop my career in governance serving my local community. I will also be taking up God’s call to serve in new ministries and will be volunteering with my local NHS hospital chaplaincy team.
“For the past eight years it has been the greatest honour to have been a servant of the global Anglican Communion. After this period of pandemic when we have all experienced a renewed sense of the importance of our local communities it will now be a privilege to serve my local community in two beloved institutions so instrumental to the education and health of the people of my island home.”
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Most Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, commented: “Stephanie Taylor has had a significant, but largely hidden, ministry within the Anglican Communion. She has been instrumental in organising six very successful Primates’ Meetings – including the one taking place next week – and two plenary meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council in Zambia and Hong Kong.
“She has effectively and efficiently managed the transition brought about by the re-organisation of the Anglican Communion Office last year and ensured the continued good governance of the Communion.
“All of her colleagues in the Anglican Communion Office will miss her infectious enthusiasm and calm, reassuring presence. We wish her well and pray for her new role at the Isle of Wight College.”
Reacting to news of the departures, the Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and former Archbishop of Hong Kong, the Most Revd Paul Kwong, said: “I regret to hear that Mrs Stephanie Taylor and Dr Will Adam will be moving on from ACO respectively in the next couple of months.
“It has been a joy and privilege working with them in ACO and ACC over the last few years. Their dedication and contributions have made a big difference in ACO.
“The skills of administration, governance and logistics that Stephanie brings to ACO have made a lasting impression in us. I am confident that they will thrive equally and even further in their new roles. They will be greatly missed.
“I wish them all the best in their new ministries.”
The Vice Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council, Canon Maggie Swinson, said: “I have been privileged to see Stephanie develop during her time at the ACO as she has developed herself and the new Director of Administration & Logistics role. The Communion has benefitted from her technical expertise and superb organisation skills. Her role in the planning of ACC and other meetings means she is well known across the Communion and will be missed by very many of us. I wish her well in her new role.
“I have worked with Will during and before his time at the ACO. He has a great depth of expertise in ecumenism from which we have benefitted. More recently he has played a key part in building the new team at the ACO – we will miss his presence in the ACO.”
To read the Anglican Communion’s press release, please click here, and to read the Diocese of Canterbury’s press release, please click here.