The Bishop is pleased to announce the following new diocesan appointments:
Diocesan Education Officer:
Dr Peter Litman began his career as a Primary School music teacher in Kent. He progressed to AST status and consequently, was invited to mentor for Initial Teacher Training on the TeachFirst initiative at Christ Church University, Canterbury. He has been an LEA-appointed governor, and was formally, the course director of MA Music Education at Roehampton University, London. He relocated to the Isle of Man in 2012 as the Cathedral’s Organist and Director of Music. In 2021 he was appointed an Honorary Fellow of UCM for his work in music education and church music and serves on the Research Panel of the University. Peter is married to Christiane (a teacher) and has 2 boys, Benedict and Magnus.
Throughout his career Peter has always had the highest expectations of the children he has worked with, and he is passionate that no child is ever ‘left behind’. A committed Christian, Peter is looking forward to working with the Island schools (particularly St Thomas’) and the Department of Education in fostering and promoting an excellent education with a distinctive Christian ethos in our fast-changing Island landscape.
Diocesan Disability Adviser
Bethany de Legh-Runciman writes:
Known as Bethany, I have lived on the Island for 25 years. I have rung church bells for 30 years and ring at St George’s Church in Douglas, where I worship. I run a Children’s Church there and prior to this I sang in the Choir.
I am delighted to be the Diocesan Diocesan Disability Adviser. Myself, I have lived with mental and physical disabilities. I have friends with disabilities and have experience of healthcare providers and independent agencies. I have worked on a mental health charity committee and have chaired the Epilepsy Charity. I have taught nurses about self-harm and been involved in a Chronic Pain / Fibromyalgia Group.
I look forward to helping people understand disability so people can feel included in our Diocese. I will bring people together in a working group to look at this. As our congregations get older it is important to recognise disability and know how we can include everyone.
Additionally
The Archdeacon takes on two new portfolios: Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, and Team Leader of the Diocesan Deliverance Ministry Team.
Please pray for Peter, Bethany and the Archdeacon in their new responsibilities.
Bishop Peter also announces that Dr Tony Thick stands down as Diocesan Environmental Adviser on 31 December.
I give thanks to Tony for all that he has done for us in this vital area, including the ‘We Care’ Initiative within the Environmental Action Group, and for his guidance in our projects of biodiversity and management of glebe land along with his constant encouragement and monitoring of activity towards the goal of Carbon Neutrality. Tony will be presenting the Action Plan for our part in the National Net Zero Carbon Strategy at Diocesan Synod on 28 November.
We now urgently need a new Environmental Adviser to build on Tony’s work, and I invite you to consider whether God might be calling you to this vital role in the life of our Church.
