Celebrations for St John’s Chaplain, Alison Dobell – 4th July 2021

On Sunday 4 July, our much loved Chaplain, Alison Dobell, held a service to mark her 25 years as an ordained priest. The service was held in the open air (the weather just about holding!) on the Northside almshouses site and was attended by family, friends and St John’s residents and staff. The Reverend Michael Jackson, a former Director of the Charity helped Alison officiate and paid tribute to her work during her 25 years Ministry both at St John’s and at St Barnabas All Saints’ Upper Norwood in Mitcham. Clive Cook, our current Director, also praised Alison for her unstinting service to her congregation, the wider almshouse community and to residents and staff at Moorside and Devenish House. He also thanked Alison for her resilience during the pandemic (making sure that chapel services continued in one form or another) and for the compassion she showed to everyone whose life she touches in the St John’s Community. There will be another anniversary to celebrate in November when Alison will complete 10 years with the Charity. We are so lucky to have Alison as Chaplain and also acknowledge the support given by her husband, Patrick and son, Boniface which helps her to do her wonderful work.

Thank you Alison, you will always be a friend of St John’s.