The Reverend Tony Higton - The Rector

	“Half of my job involves looking after the congregations and the other half is meeting people who seldom, if ever, go to church,” says Tony Higton, who was Rector of Christ Church, Jerusalem before coming to the Woottons. “I try to be available to anyone who lives in the Woottons. I enjoy chatting with people and sometimes getting into discussion about religious and moral issues, including in local pubs.” Tony was born and bred in South Derbyshire and only joined the Church of England in his twenties, after meeting Patricia (a vicar’s daughter). Patricia and Tony were married the day England won the World Cup in 1966(!) so they’ve just celebrated their Ruby Wedding with their two married children and two grandchildren. Tony was ordained in 1967 in Southwell Minster, Notts. His first church was Christ Church, Newark, then he moved to St Barnabas, Cheltenham in 1970. In 1975, he was appointed Rector of Hawkwell, a parish with three churches and a population of 12,500 near Southend, Essex. Based on their experience of church development, Tony and Patricia produced church resources and spoke at conferences of clergy and lay leaders in the UK and around the world, as far a field as Australia and New Zealand. From 1985-1999 Tony was one of six elected members for Essex of the Church of England’s national “parliament” - the General Synod, where he took a stand for traditional biblical doctrine and morality. This led to extensive involvement in TV, radio and the press. He has also written several books, some co-authored with Patricia. In April 1999 he became General Director of the Church’s Ministry amongst Jewish People (CMJ), an official Church of England Society aiming sensitively to share the love of God, shown in Jesus the Messiah, with Jewish people, many of whom are non-religious. Tony also emphasised reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, Israelis and Palestinians. Initially he was based in St Albans but in 2002 moved to Jerusalem where, in addition to overseeing CMJ’s ministry, he became Rector of Christ Church in the Old City of Jerusalem, the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East. Then, late last year he decided to return to his first love – parish ministry, moving to the Woottons in March this year.
		Reverend Tony Higton The Rector
		Address:	The Rectory 47 Castle Rising Rd. South Wootton King's Lynn Norfolk PE30 3JA
		Tel:	01553 671381
		Email:	Email Tony
	Tony Talks - Q&A with the Rector: Have you ever wondered, whilst listening to the dulcet tones of our dear Rector, what his favourite flavoured ice-cream might be? Well, if you have, then read on and find out more as he answers our strategically worded questions. Q: What did you have for breakfast this morning? Fried egg on toast: a sign of civilisation? Q: What is your favourite journey? Walking along Hadrian’s Wall Q: Which book or song do you most wish you had written? The Hallelujah Chorus (some song!) Q: What makes you most angry about the world as it is today? The injustice of world poverty Q: What one invention could you not live without? Writing instruments: pen, word processor etc. Q: If you could ask God one question, what would it be? I frequently do ask God questions and sometimes received inspired answers. But I’d really like to ask him when Jesus is coming back. I very much doubt he’d tell me! Q: What’s your favourite flavour ice-cream? Vanilla Q: Who does your washing? Our washing machine, managed by my wife. Q: How much does a pint of milk cost? I buy it frequently and haven’t a clue. Q: Are you a cat or dog person? Depends entirely on the animal concerned Q: If you were asked to give up all your possessions, except one, what would it be? Satellite TV so I could get to sleep at nights. Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and had the choice of one book, one CD and one packed of biscuits, what would be your choices? The Bible, a CD including Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, chocolate digestives. Do you prefer Indian or Chinese (meals)? Chinese Q: How long is a piece of string? As long as necessary, except when it isn’t. Q: Happiest day? Wedding Day (It was also the day that England won the World Cup but that was relatively unimportant) Q: Where’s the best place you’ve ever visited and why? Galilee. It’s so unspoilt and looking up at the stars by the Sea of Galilee whilst remembering that the person who put them there lived where I was standing was quiet overpowering. Q: If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Antarctica Q: Do you know what your CO2 (carbon) footprint is? No, not yet. It’s on my pending list. I’m too busy trying to save the world to have time to save the world! Q: Most favourite quotation from the bible? God saying “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Q: What did you do on your last birthday? Walked in our favourite place on the North Norfolk coast and went out for a meal. Q: Are you happy? Yes, very much so, most of the time. Q: Favourite film Cry Freedom Q: Favourite website www.churchinthewoottons.net Q: If you could dine with six people from throughout history, which would those six be? Jesus and Saints Paul, Peter, John, James and Thomas Q: Milk first or water first? (When making a cup of tea) Pre-lactarian  Q: Most embarrassing moment Pushing an overloaded trolley (with a protruding box) around a supermarket, colliding with a young lady’s posterior and saying: “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know it stuck out so far.” Actually, it was more hilarious than embarrassing! Q: Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Trek Q: Bill and Ben or Muffin the Mule? This was before we had TV but on balance I think Bill and Ben If you don't know what your Carbon Footprint is, why not visit the Carbon Calculator below:  http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html

Website Development by The Church Website Design Project

Copyright ©2007 churchinthewoottons.net