Andy Wilkes' Bio

Andy Wilkes

(Littlemore 2009)

I have worshipped and served in various capacities at St. George's since 2004. Before that my family (Julia, Jodie and Sacha) and I belonged to St. Peter's in Selsey. I was born in Birmingham but grew up in Scotland on the banks of the Clyde , and this has left me with a deep love for the Highlands . My father worked for IBM and we lived in Holland for a year before moving back to the Midlands , to Stratford upon Avon , where I finished my schooling. I then served for 7 years in the Royal Marines Commandos which included tours of N Ireland and Norway . For the last 20 years I have worked as a fire-fighter with WSFRS based at Chichester fire station. My interests include running and bird watching, but not at the same time! I also love reading and writing with interests in various areas including philosophy and theology. I am a member of the Newman Friends , a group dedicated to preserving John Henry Newman's college at Littlemore in Oxford , and to promoting his work. I make retreats and visit Newman's library at Littlemore as often as I can.

Since 2001 I have been a Franciscan, living under vows as a member of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis . I enjoy poetry, both reading and writing it, and I am a member of The Poetry Society . For the past 3 years I have been training for ordained ministry on the South East Institute for Theological Education ( SEITE ) course. This is a part evening class, part residential course based in London and Kent . This has been a demanding and challenging time but one which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have accepted the offer of the post of Assistant Curate (NSM) at St. George's and will be ordained deacon (God willing) at Chichester Cathedral on 26 June 2010 . I will remain in full time employment as a fire-fighter and will devote my spare time to ministry at St. George's . I believe in a fully inclusive Church, one that is outward looking but also one which values its traditions and the mysteries of the sacraments. I look forward to serving the people of St. George's as part of the clergy team and to contributing to our life of worship and discipleship, mission and education, always with love, compassion and a sense of humour.