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A Message from the Dean

Dear ,

What a term, and what a year. Well done, I and the entire staff team are so proud of the way each of our students has responded and engaged in the most unusual of circumstances.

Sunday marked the beginning of Advent, a time of expectant waiting and joyful preparation, tinged with anticipation. In Isaiah 40 we read the prophet's famous words: 

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 

As the people of God and a nation, we are calling out for comfort in our time of hardship and it can often feel like we are in the wilderness. What does Isaiah offer us? A command: 'Prepare the way of the Lord' he says, 'And the glory of the Lord will be revealed.' How? In Jesus we find the one in whom all history speaks and all expectation waits. As we anticipate the celebration of his birth, his incarnation into this world, and as we await his return in Glory, we are called to cultivate faith, patience and perseverance.

What will your testimony be from this time? What are the habits and goals and experiences that you are pursuing? Will you make the most of this season?

Please see below notices from the college, staff news and updates and some other key information.

God Bless,
Russell

Journey with us through Advent

During Advent, the team will be posting daily reflections on our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). 

Why don't you follow along and take a moment each day to join with the SMC Advent Calendar.

Staffing News and Updates

As we come to the end of the term, we say welcome, congratulations, au revoir and some fond farewells to members of our staff team.

Welcome to Maddie Naisbitt (Admissions Officer - Maternity Cover), Princess Ofori-Atta (PA to McDonald Professor in Christian Theology & COO), and Lula Ritchie (Fund Development Manager) who have recently joined the staff team.

Congratulations to Donna Lazenby who has been appointed as Co Vice-Principal & Director of Formation at Trinity College, Bristol, taking up her post from Easter 2021. Although of course we will be sad to see Donna leave when she moves on, I know you will want to join me in congratulating her on this appointment. She (& Chris) will go with our prayers and best wishes for her new role. We are currently recruiting for a new Director for our South West Centre so please pray as we seek the right person for the role, and share within your networks to help us get the word out.

Au Revoir to Steve Smith who is on study leave during Epiphany Term. Don't worry, he will be back with us at Easter but for next term it will give Steve some richly deserved dedicated research time.

Fond Farewells to Michael Leyden and Nick Griffin who are sadly moving on from the college.

Michael Leyden has been appointed as Dean for the new NW provider (Emmanuel Theological College). He will officially begin his new post from Easter 2021 but will be taking study leave from January 2021. Michael has been part of the staff team for 7 years, joining as Tutor and Lecturer at the launch of the North West Centre in 2013 and then serving as its Director since 2018. Michael is a wonderful teacher and he has been instrumental in helping to establish the North West teaching centre. We are grateful for all that Michael has given to the life of St Mellitus College. Jane Williams has agreed to serve as Interim Centre Director of SMC North West from January and will be offering continuity of leadership to that part of our community over the coming months.

Nick Griffin has been appointed as the new Vicar for the Parish of St George’s Wilton in his home town of Taunton. Nick has been a fantastic colleague and has contributed so much to the life of the college, most particularly in the South West centre where he has been involved since its launch 4 years ago. He has been a dedicated and steadfast member of that community and we will be sorry to see Nick go but know that he will provide excellent pastoral, missional and priestly leadership within his new church community and in his continued service to the region.

Please do pray for these members of the staff team as they transition.

Living in Love and Faith

The Church of England is on a journey as we learn to listen to one another and learn from our diverse experiences through the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ report and resources that have been launched. This is the continuation of a process, not the conclusion. We have worked hard as a college to ensure the diverse opinions and experiences held within our community can be shared safely and well; this hasn’t always been perfect, but it has been something we have constantly strived for. This safe sharing has meant we have been able to send out women and men equipped to engage in the conversations and challenges ahead for the Church of England as we listen and learn from one another.

St Mellitus College is committed to generous orthodoxy and to provide a space where all can grow and thrive as disciples alongside one another. I want to affirm our commitment to being a safe community of learning that is following the guidance of our Archbishops as we serve the wider church and as such we will follow their lead in the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ journey. We will continue to respect our diversity of community and our unity in Christ, striving to be a community of learning as we offer the love of Christ to one another. Engaging with the LLF resources will only succeed if we can operate with respect, love, grace, kindness and compassion.

SoT Bitesize - Spring 2021

In Spring 2021 we are running SoT Online with three new bitesize tracks. You can book on for individual track or all 3 at a £10 discount (making 3 courses only £50). For more information visit our website or book your place here.

  • FaithTrack (14, 21, 28 January): Foundations for Faith: 'These 3 Remain' - Dr Sarah Pawlett-Jackson
  • BibleTrack (11, 18, 25 February): Know Your Who: The Story of Jacob - Ken Costa
  • LifeTrack (11, 18, 25 March): The Power of Story: Evangelism Today - Revd Dr Hannah Steele

Christmas Shopping? Help support SMC for Free!

Have you heard about the ways that you can raise money for St Mellitus College when you shop online? We'd love for you to get involved and invite friends and family to support us as well.

You can support St Mellitus College each time you buy something on Amazon. Simply go to smile.amazon.co.uk and search St Mellitus to donate 0.5% of your basket for free.

We're also registered with easyfundraising. If you already shop online with retailers such as Sainsburys, Argos, John Lewis, eBay, Dominoes, Apple, Expedia and Groupon, then you can sign up for free to raise money while you shop! Sign up for free on easyfundraising.org.uk

Don't forget that SMC Staff books make excellent Christmas gifts...

St Mellitus College

London | Chelmsford | North West
South West | East Midlands

Registered office: 24 Collingham Road, London SW5 0LX

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