Love God, Serve People, Make Disciples
Downing Street has this morning announced that the next Bishop of St Germans is to be the Revd James Treasure.
James was ordained priest in 2017 and was previously a leader in a free church before his move back to the Church of England. He brings with him a wealth of experience in community engagement and growing congregations.
From 2018, James served as Vicar and Resource Church Leader at St Thomas and St Luke's (locally known as "Top Church") in Dudley. In this capacity, he spearheaded a major redevelopment and mission project, supported by significant grant funding, to revitalise the historic Grade II* listed building and expand its parish outreach.
In 2023, James was also appointed Team Rector for the wider Dudley parish. In this role, he maintained responsibility for four additional churches while continuing his leadership at St Thomas and St Luke's.
James is married to Esther, who is a curate, and they have three young adult sons.
James said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Diocese of Truro, the land of the saints, at this exciting time and cannot wait to discover all that God is doing amongst you! I am especially looking forward to discovering more of the beauty of the Church across our diocese - in its worship, its communities, and its faithful presence in every place."
Welcoming his appointment, the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd David Williams, said: "I am so pleased to welcome James here as bishop-designate of St Germans. We are looking forward to James, Esther and their family joining us later this year.
"James has spent his whole working life in church leadership and will bring significant pastoral, preaching and strategic gifts to our team. I am delighted we have discerned a call for him and his family here."
James and his family will move to live in the Diocese of Truro in Spring. He will be consecrated as a Bishop on May 1 in St Paul's Cathedral, London, after which he will formally be welcomed to the diocese and will take up his seat in Truro Cathedral in a service on May 10 at 4.30pm. All are welcome. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.
Helen is currently Team Vicar in the Shaftesbury Benefice in the Diocese of Salisbury.
Helen, who will be moving to the diocese with two cats and two dogs, brings a wealth of experience of ministry, particularly rural ministry and working with children and young people.
Helen's background is in astrophysics, and after having children, she was licensed as a Reader in Winchester Diocese and also trained as a science teacher. After moving to Dorset, she became a Licensed Lay Minister in Salisbury Diocese. She continued to teach while training for ordination at Sarum College in Salisbury. She served her curacy in the parish of Wareham in Dorset, before moving to her present post.
Helen says: "I am thrilled to be invited to take up the role of Archdeacon Designate of Bodmin and am looking forward to getting to know the Christian community in this stunning area. I am excited by what I hear that God is doing in Cornwall and can't wait tojoin in."
The Ven Clive Hogger, Archdeacon of Cornwall, said: "I am very excited at the prospect of working with Helen as she steps into this role. She will be such a blessing to us all here in the Diocese of Truro, and especially in the Archdeaconry of Bodmin."
The Rt Revd David Williams, Bishop of Truro, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Helen Williams is moving from the Diocese of Salisbury to be Archdeacon Designate of Bodmin designate here in Truro. Helen's entire adult life has seen a deep commitment to the life of the local Church including a substantial amount of time as a lay reader. I look forward to seeing all of her deep spirituality, her intellect but most of all her compassion to the life of the Diocese of Truro and look forward to working alongside her in our senior team here. Do please pray for Helen as she prepares to move to Cornwall."
While Helen's start date has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that she will be in post in the summer.
