Rev. Julian Duckworth

In early June 2026, Rev Howard Thompson and his wife Debra returned to America, to start a new chapter in their lives.

The committee that looks after the running of the Roseville New Church are currently looking for a new minister. In the meantime the previous minister, Rev Julian Duckworth, is currently leading services during this transition period.

Here is a short introduction to him:

Julian and his wife Ruth arrived from England to be part of the Roseville New Church in the early 2000s. They have four grown up children. Julian spent ten years in primary school teaching, specialising in music, and Ruth has been a physiotherapist. They both take an active part in school programs and opened the church to the local community in a number of ways. Their vision is to help people on their spiritual path and to provide people with the freedom and opportunity to do so.

Julian has a great love for the Bible and the symbolism lying below the surface. He is familiar with Hebrew and Greek and enjoys using the words of the Bible to shed more light on our spiritual life. He says that Swedenborg’s spiritual teachings are a great joy and a bright light because they teach us how God is most relevant in the way we choose to live.