Rev. Sonia Home has been appointed to the newly formed partnership between Hope Church and St Mary’s Islington. She will serve as Associate Vicar to the partnership and be the lead clergy person for Hope's congregation, working within the Partnership structure. Sonia is looking forward to this exciting next chapter for Hope Church and for her family. We look forward to Sonia being licensed on the 21 September as part of our Partnership launch celebration. More details of this celebration will follow soon.
It was announced today, Sunday 13 April 2025, that Rev. James Hughesdon, currently Vicar of St Mary Islington, will also be the Vicar of Hope Church. This marks the start of a new partnership between the two churches.The St Mary’s - Hope Church partnership is a way of reimagining what it means to be God’s people, together, at this time. Both churches will continue with their own local expressions of Church, with a shared partnership vision which enables us to grow together in depth, numbers and impact.The partnership was agreed after a period of discussion, prayer and reflection involving the Bishop of Stepney, Archdeacon of Stepney, both PCCs, Hope Church parish reps and James. James was interviewed and offered the role in accordance with Church of England processes.Hope and St Mary’s have a shared heritage and a shared heart for the people of Islington. St Mary Magdalene was founded out of St Mary Islington in 1814 with a desire to better serve the spiritual needs of the people of Islington. That shared desire continues to be reflected in this new partnership.Both churches will continue to be independent parishes, with their own PCCs and Sunday services. They will be joined not just through Rev. James being Vicar of both but also through shared partnership governance, operational and missional coordination.
