Second Bishop's Mission Order issued in UK
creates new church in Thanet Deanery

The second ever Bishop's Mission Order formally authorizing a new form of church has been issued to Harvest New Anglican Church, a network of small cell groups who meet across Thanet, Kent and come together for worship on Sundays in Broadstairs.

The Bishop of Dover, Dr Stephen Venner who signed the order with Revd Canon Kerry Thorpe in front of 200 members of Canterbury Diocese's synod at their meeting on Saturday 14 November, expressed his joy that the Bishop's Mission Order allows Harvest New Anglican Church to "now take its place formally in Canterbury Diocese."

This Bishop's Mission Order is the second to be signed for a 'fresh expression' or new form of church in the country. Mission orders were only approved by General Synod last year and each one will be different, written according to the particular requirements and goals of the fresh expression of church.

After the presentation Bishop Stephen commented: "Bishop's Mission Orders enable new church congregations to take their place alongside more traditional parishes. They are very new, and so it has taken much time and detailed work to reach the point where we can celebrate our first BMO in the diocese (and only the second in the country!). Harvest New Anglican, under the leadership of Kerry Thorpe, is a thriving Christian community in Thanet. It is a real joy to welcome them into this new relationship with the Diocese of Canterbury, and to pray that God will continue to bless them and enable them to be a rich blessing to others."

Harvest New Anglican Church was founded in 1998, as a network of small groups, meeting across Thanet, and coming together on a Sunday morning for worship, initially in a Primary School, and now at Christ Church University Campus in Broadstairs. Described as a "Relational Church", Harvest New Anglican focuses on building and growing friendships with people at all levels of a spiritual journey.

With no building of its own, and no geographical parish, Harvest New Anglican Church was instrumental in setting a precedent, and helping to create the stimulus which has led to the Mission Shaped Church Report, the Fresh Expressions movement, and the need for Bishop's Mission Orders.

Minister-in-Charge at Harvest New Anglican Church Revd Canon Kerry Thorpe said: "We are absolutely delighted to be one of the earliest recipients of a Bishop's Mission Order which recognizes Harvest New Anglican Church as a place where mission is at the heart of all we do. Harvest is "Church" for people who are not sure whether they want to do 'Church' where we are just as keen to stimulate questions as we are in trying to provide answers."

Ends

Further information from: Emily Shepherd, Director of Communications Canterbury Diocese, 01227 459 401, 07876 210 446, eshepherd@diocant.org
Revd Canon Kerry Thorpe, Minister-in-Charge at Harvest New Anglican Church: (01843) 871183, Kerrythorpe@harvestnac.freeserve.co.uk
Karen Carter, Media Officer, Fresh Expressions 07545 928724 karen.carter@freshexpressions.org.uk

Notes for Editors
Photo attached shows The Bishop of Dover, Dr Stephen Venner, signing the Bishop's Mission Order with Revd Cannon Kerry Thorpe, the Minister-in-Charge at Harvest New Anglican Church, Thanet.

More information about Harvest New Anglican can be found at: www.harvestnac.co.uk
Fresh Expressions encourages new forms of church for a fast changing world, working with Christians from a variety of denominations and traditions. It was initiated in 2005 by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York but now involves the Methodist Council, the United Reformed Church and a number of other partners. The initiative has resulted in hundreds of new congregations being formed alongside more traditional churches. Further details on: http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk