As long as visas are issued, the next Chaplain at Holy Trinity Algiers will be a former headmaster from Manchester UK.
The Rev’d Craig Watson and his wife Elaine, herself a former maths teacher, hope to be heading for Algiers within the next few months; and although Craig ‘hates flying’ they’re both excited about the prospect of this new adventure. Adventures are not exactly new to either of them. Back in the eighties they taught in Oman and worked as Anglicans with the then Protestant Church of Oman. In 2021, following distinguished teaching careers that saw Craig as acting Head, Head and Principal Improvement Adviser at schools in the Bolton area, early retirement beckoned. On Elaine’s initiative, they went to work in Nepal, at the Kathmandu International Study Centre, a training project to help improve educational standards; and with the Kathmandu International Christian Congregation (KICC), where Craig ministered.
Craig uses the Intercontinental Church Society (ICS) daily prayer calendar and had noticed that Algiers featured for a long time as a vacant church and felt called there. He has experience of living and relating with other faiths. Originally ordained in Bradford Diocese and working as a Self-Supporting Minister in the Diocese of Manchester alongside his work and partnerships with Church schools, gave him ample opportunity to build interfaith relationships. He speaks French ‘reasonably well’ (his own self-deprecating description) and hopes to improve; and he has been used, from his time in Nepal, to relating with the Embassies of English-speaking nations. He has met with members of the Church Council but looks forward to seeing how the church there works.
His favourite mode, he says, is listening, and encouraging others to be a listening community; or as he puts it: “listening to God together and seeing what pops out.” He loves building community; a task in which Elaine plays a vital part. She says that although she has been a career teacher she is not an ‘up front’ person but relishes getting alongside people. They both believe that when ex-pats have no extended family to hand, the church community has a special role. Elaine says she wants their home to feel like an extended family home. Speaking to them, it’s easy to see that they exude a sense of friendly welcome. Their own (two) daughters are looking forward to visiting.
Craig is well aware of the sensitivities involved in working in countries where Christianity is a tiny minority, but also aware of the importance that the church has for Anglophone ex-pats from many places. His vision of church employs one of his favourite words – breadth. He loves the breadth of the Anglican Church itself, and also the breadth of other Christian denominations in what will be an international church. Finally he looks forward to living in an international community that involves another element of breadth. His educational experience will certainly be useful in the Diocese as Bishop Anthony pursues his vision of a church that encourages educational opportunities.
Won’t that hatred of flying be a problem? No, says Craig,
that's just an example of God's sense of humour!