Clergy Team Expanding 

We’re delighted that a new priest will soon be joining the clergy team. Fr Robert Thompson writes:
‘Originally from Portadown in the north of Ireland, I read theology at Cambridge before training for the priesthood at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. I was a curate at St Martin’s Ruislip, and then Chaplain of St Charles’ Hospital in North Kensington for 8 years. For the last six years I have been the Lead Chaplain at the Royal Brompton Hospital and at the same time I have also been the Associate Vicar (SSM- which means Self Supporting Minister!) in the neighbouring parishes of St George’s Campden Hill with St John’s, Holland Road, where I have had special responsibility for adult education. Last year I became a ward councillor for Dalgarno in the north-east of the the borough and I am on the Planning and Licensing Committees at the Town Hall, amongst other things. I will continue to be at the Royal Brompton Hospital and will be helping out in St Clement and St James’ in much the same way as I did on the other side of Holland Park Avenue as a part-time, SSM, focussing on education.
‘I really enjoy trips to the theatre, opera and art galleries, although I am not really that musical and certainly can’t paint. I try to do a bit of yoga and going to the gym to keep me semi-fit and am very slow at trying learn Spanish. I also like to watch very trashy television at the end of day to unwind!
‘Although it’s only a move across the road I am really excited about the different opportunities that this parish brings. There’s a  real diversity of people from all parts of the world, with various means and backgrounds and belonging to many different faiths. There’s the exciting partnerships that the parish has with the ClementJames Centre and the church school.  There’s the buzz of having a new secondary school, the Kensington Aldridge Academy and the soon to reopen, refurbished leisure centre in the parish. I am really looking forward to working together with Alan and Mary, the Church Wardens and the PCC and every parishioner to help develop the mission of God’s church here. In particular I hope that we will be able to share together in the colourful and rich life of the two churches, supporting one another and growing more deeply and richly into Christ.’
Robert will be licensed in early March, and his first Sunday will be 8 March.