Licensing of David Emerton as Priest-In-Charge of the Benefice of Bilsthorpe and Eakring
Sunday evening was a special service of celebration at St Andrew, Eakring, as Revd David Emerton was licensed by Bishop Paul and inducted and installed as priest by Archdeacon Tors Ramsey. Family, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate with David as he begins this new chapter of ministry.
Area Dean, the Revd Canon Dr Neil Evans, gave a warm welcome, followed by Bible readings from Psalm 121, read by Louis Emerton, and Mark 4.35-41, read by Revd Margaret Groves. Archdeacon Tors then gave an encouraging sermon.
Following the licensing and installation, Bishop Paul presented David as the new Parish Priest. The churchwardens welcomed him on behalf of the parishes, followed by greetings from representatives of the local community. David then led the congregation in prayer, before Associate Archdeacon, the Revd Canon Dr Richard Kellett, gave a charge to renew their vision: “Working alongside David, let us commit ourselves afresh in our ministry and mission to these Benefices of Bilsthorpe and Eakring and beyond.”
David grew up in Chester and came to faith as a teenager through a rural village church. He studied History in Edinburgh before training in law and working as a solicitor in London, where he sensed a call to ordained ministry. He trained at St Mellitus College, London, before serving as curate at St Stephen’s, Twickenham. He later moved to Aberdeen for PhD studies before joining the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham as Principal of the School of Discipleship. From 2019, he served as Director of St Mellitus College, East Midlands, overseeing its establishment and the training of future church leaders.
David is married to Naomi and has two daughters, Lois and Sophie. He enjoys supporting Liverpool FC, jazz, crime novels, ocean horizons and building Lego sets.
We are delighted for David, his wife Naomi and their daughters, Lois and Sophie, and for the Benefices of St Margaret, Bilsthorpe and St Andrew, Eakring, as they begin this new phase of ministry together. Please join us in praying for David as she settles into the role and community, and for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit that will bring an overflow of God’s blessing to the church and community.