Kentish Express Ashford & District
Archdeacon elect looking forward to Ashford move
A new archdeacon of Ashford has been appointed.
Canon Darren Miller, from Cheam in Surrey, will succeed the Venerable Philip Down, who retires in October this year.
He will move into this senior position in Canterbury Diocese from his role as team rector for Cheam parish in Southwark Diocese.
Canon Miller is also currently area dean of Sutton and an honorary canon of Southwark Cathedral.
He trained for ordained ministry at Chichester Theological College and at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield.
Canon Miller served his curacies and first incumbency in Birmingham diocese before making the move to Cheam.
He is married to Sue, and the couple have two young children.
Canon Miller grew up in north Essex before studying public policymaking and administration at Birmingham University.
He later worked at the Church Commissioners before studying for ordination.
His interests include family walks and following American Football.
He said: “I am excited and honoured to be joining the diocese of Canterbury as archdeacon of Ashford.
“This is a time of change and renewal for the Church, and I am looking forward to working with the people of such a wide variety of churches as they work together to serve God and the people of south and east Kent.
“I am also looking forward to getting to know this part of the country a little better, not least because it is where many of my wife’s family come from.”
The Rt Revd Trevor Willmott, bishop of Dover, said: “I am delighted that Darren will be joining the senior team here in Canterbury, and I’m confident that he will be a huge asset to both the diocese as a whole and to the local churches he will be working with.”
The timing of the family’s move has yet to be confirmed, but will probably take place at the end of 2017.
The archdeacon of Ashford is responsible for the deaneries of Ashford, Dover, Romney and Tenterden, Elham and Sandwich, supporting the clergy and communities.
Together with the archdeacons of Canterbury and Maidstone, he holds a senior position assisting the bishop in leading the diocese.