Welcome to Richard, our New Events Manager
Richard Apperley is the new Events Manager for Anglican Movement who will be leading the organisation of key events in the Diocesan calendar in 2024. We put the following questions to Richard to get to know him as we welcome him to the team.
Where have you come from/what is your background?
I’ve been part of the Wellington Diocese since 2001, when I moved from Hastings to Wellington to study at Victoria University of Wellington, and also started work as Organ Scholar at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul. Apart from a few years in the UK (working in Highgate in London and at Lincoln Cathedral) I worked at the Wellington Cathedral until the start of 2022. My role there slowly morphed from being one of the organists, to Events Manager, and finally to Cathedral Manager. My wife, Rebecca, and I were ordained as Deacons in 2020 and Priests in 2021 – and we’re now Co-Priests in charge at St Michael and All Angels, Newlands-Paparārangi. Prior to starting this role in the Diocese I was working as Deputy Director for Scripture Union New Zealand.
What interested you in the role of Events Manager?
The Diocesan led events have always been really important to me – I love the experience of gathering together as the wider body of Christ (it really does feel like gathering together as a crazy extended family!), worshipping together, learning together, and sharing and experiencing generous hospitality together. It was also at a Diocesan Leaders Family Camp in April 2018, held in Ratana, that I experienced the unexpected but unmistakable call to ordination.
I’m also a systems and details person, and have always been at my happiest when organising events, so when I saw the role advertised I knew it was an opportunity that I would regret not applying for – not to mention the opportunity to work alongside the pretty phenomenal team here at the Anglican Centre.
What are you most looking forward to about the role?
I’m looking forward to getting to know people a whole lot better – events like Ministry Leaders Family Camp are a huge team effort, and I know so many people have gone above and beyond to serve in a huge variety of ways. I’m also looking forward to working out systems and processes to make our events as lightweight for everyone involved as possible – and Jan Sainsbury (who has been covering the role of Events Manager) has done a huge amount towards this already.
At a meeting last week Bishop Justin also told me that we need to find something ‘magic and memorable’ for each Family Camp – so watch this space!
Tell us something interesting about yourself
Don’t tell my dog Pete, but my favourite pets are my chickens. Rebecca tried to persuade me a few years ago that we should get chooks, and I was pretty reluctant but agreed eventually – so the next day she arrived home with three chickens from Chris Casey. It was, embarrassingly, a case of love at first sight. We now have a pretty diverse flock, including Bishop Ellie’s chooks that she rehomed to us when she moved to the UK – including Gem, the largest chicken you’ll probably ever see.
Contact Richard on 021 0200 7113 or by emailing events@anglicanmovement.nz
