News Vicar tells of his journey to Goole
Goole's vicar, the Rev Tony Sophianou, has been in the town for four months but his career has been long and varied. He told the Goole Times this week how he came to join the church.
Before joining the ministry in 1988, South London-born Mr Sophianou worked for 30 years in journalism and public relations (PR), despite being told at school that he would never achieve his dream of becoming a journalist.
At 16 years old Tony joined the Civil Service, working in Her Majesty's Stationery Office at the persuasion of his father, who claimed the career offered 'a good pension'.
But he would not give up on his dream and, after three months, Tony went to work in a publishing house in Fleet Street, beginning a long career in journalism and PR.
He moved on to work with IPC, the UK's leading consumer magazine publisher, and undertook a number of roles before starting up a PR company in the West End of London.
The business soared in its success, generating a turnover of £2 million in just three years, and it was at this point that Tony left the media industry behind to join the church.
"My mother died quite suddenly when I was 20 years old and it had a significant impact on me, leaving me with all sorts of emotions," said Tony.
"I was left asking all sorts of questions and I was even dragged into a church in Sittingbourne, Kent, where a man was preaching a sermon that day that answered so many of my questions. I knew I had to go back."
Tony became a lay reader, before going on to complete his training.
He said: "I enjoy virtually all the parts of my job, but I don't enjoy the paperwork!"
Tony is now excited about the work that Goole Parish Church is doing with the Methodist churches around the town.
Goole Praise, an evening of worship between all local churches, is taking place at Trinity Methodist Church in Boothferry Road on Sunday, January 20 at 7pm.
Tony added: "There is a strong bond between all the local churches, and it is important that we work together to try to serve the people of Goole in the best way that we can, to meet the needs of the town.
"I have one simple message for the people of Goole: everyone needs to know that God loves them no matter what they have done, or who they are."
Published on 17th January 2008 in News.
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