The next team member we meet in our two-minute interview is Mark Harrington
Mark joined the team in September 2019 and works in our Education Team supporting Church schools and others across the diocese. In his spare time, Mark is a Christian Magician using magic tricks to help bring Bible stories to life. You can catch some of his work in the videos from our Education Team. Mark is married and has one daughter, he lives near Wolverhampton.
I: Hello. Thanks for taking part in the 2-min interview. Our first question is nice and easy - What is your favourite food?
MH: I love authentic curry or tandoori spiced lamb chops. When on holiday I love to eat seafood, especially when I have caught the fish myself. Though I do enjoy growing food in my garden too.
I: Loving the sound of the curry, Mark. Maybe you'll have to demo cooking at a staff event? So second question, Where is the most interesting place you have visited?
MH: In 2014, I travelled 8000 miles by plane to start a new teaching role in the main primary school in Stanley, the capital and newly named city of the Falkland Islands. For the next two years, I enjoyed watching the unique wildlife - penguins, sea lions, dolphins and caracaras. It was also great to be part of the congregation in the most southerly cathedral in the world, which included helping to lead the world’s most southern Messy Church. Many people only know about the Falklands from the war 40 years ago, but the archipelago has changed a lot since then. I made many friends there who I try to keep in touch with despite the poor internet access.
I: Wow, that's amazing. Next question, what is your favourite book of the Bible?
MH: I love to read the Psalms, as you can find lyrics that speak into any moment in your life, that address the whole spectrum of human emotion, even though they were written thousands of years ago. I find Psalm 78 a real encouragement to me, right from the start when it emphasises the need to pass on the stories of the faith to the next generation, to the final verse that reminds us of David’s calling being the pairing of faithful integrity and skilful hands. This has really spoken to me over the years.
I: Psalms are always a firm favourite. Last and final question and you probably know this already it's the one we ask everyone. What do you enjoy about working at Hereford Diocese?
MH: As my role is constantly developing, and I start to work with other teams in the diocese, I’m loving how we can see the seeds of transformation and hope as churches and schools work together to help each other flourish. By working together, we can see God’s spirit at work in a bigger way. I also love seeing the different parts of the diocese as I start travelling out to schools again this year following the restrictions of Covid.
I: Thank you for sharing that with us, Mark. Thank you for all that you do to encourage transformation in our schools.