It’s an honour and privilege to be called to serve as your new Associate Priest in the parish of Chignals with Mashbury. I already feel quite at home here as I know the parish well having assisted with worship at St Nicholas from time to time as both Reader and Priest over the last 20 years. I also live close to the parish boundary in Pickwick Avenue in Newland Springs and walk my dog daily around the fields and footpaths of the parish.
I was ordained in September 2017 after many years as a Reader and served my curacy at St Mary’s Broomfield. As well as serving here I continue to work as an Associate Priest in Broomfield and I hope that we can build relationships between the two parishes to our mutual benefit.
I am what is known as an SSM (Self-supporting minister) and I have committed to giving pastoral support in the parish one half day a week and leading worship in church. We will continue with our monthly services in St Nicholas’ church on the third Sunday of each month at 11am, and I hope to be able to offer other less formal opportunities for worship in our church as we go forward. I will also try to attend some village meetings and functions and hopefully get to know all of you in the coming months.
A little about my life outside church – I retired from working as a librarian at Anglia Ruskin University in 2012. In that year I also received my doctorate for research about the self-identity issues faced by Christians working in a secular workplace. Do ask me about this if you want to know more but be prepared for a long conversation!
I am blessed with a lovely family – 3 grown up sons - one in France, one in Sussex and one currently in Chelmsford. I also have 2 beautiful granddaughters in Sussex, aged 3 years and 6 months, whom I try to see as much as possible.
I am looking forward very much to working with you all to discover what God has in store for us here in the next year. My contact details are below. Do email or phone if you wish to speak to me. My most important job here will be to pray for you all and I will be doing that every day.
Best wishes, Diana
Revd Dr Diana Garfield
71 Pickwick Avenue, Chelmsford CM1 4UR 01245 443205
dianagarfield@hotmail.com
Usual rest day - Monday