here - The Friends of Coventry Cathedral

The Friends were delighted to receive a generous legacy of
£1,000 from Mrs. (Eileen) Joan Kell. She was one of the first
Friends and a volunteer guide for 25 years.
In response to her gift, Chairman Andrew Paine wrote a letter
of thanks. The Friends sent a Coventry Rose in grateful tribute.
Her son Dennis wrote in reply that it will be “a special
reminder of my mother, the Cathedral and all the interwoven
history and memories they create. It is a lovely gesture for
which we most sincerely thank The Friends.”
JOHN WILLIS,
The success of “Journey Into The Light” - the 2012 Cathedral
Golden Jubilee Art Exhibition exceeded all expectations,
creating an influx of additional visitors and producing plaudits
from art critics and art organisations alike. It was the inspired
vision of John Willis, a former Chairman of the Friends, who
was the principal curator. Sadly in the weeks before the exhibition
opened, his health deteriorated and he died shortly afterwards,
without having the opportunity to see the results of
his efforts.
John was born in Kent and came to Coventry in 1961 to
start a degree course in Applied Chemistry at the Lanchester
College. He worked at Courtaulds and Rootes and ended his
career as Head of Purchasing at Peugeot. On his retirement
aged 59, he achieved first class honours in Historical Studies
at the University of Warwick, and went on to attain a research
Masters Degree in the History of Art. John met Shirley in 1962
and they married in 1964. When Shirley joined the Cathedral
staff in 1989 John started his links with the Cathedral. His linguistic
skills (he spoke four languages) made him useful in interpreting
the building for foreign delegations.
John was Chairman of the Friends of Coventry Cathedral for
nine years from 1995. More recently he was Vice-Chairman
of the Cathedral’s Fine Arts Committee. John was part of the
editorial group and a contributor to the Cathedral’s “Reconciling
People” – another successful venture sponsored by the
Friends in 2012.
In “Journey Into The Light” John’s dream was to create a fitting
tribute to the artists who created our wonderful Cathedral.
In doing so he helped others to follow their personal Journey
Into The Light - just as his own journey came to an end.
Canon Martin Williams
Patrons
Her Majesty’s Lords Lieutenant
of West Midlands and Warwickshire
President
The Lord Bishop of Coventry
Vice - Presidents
The Bishop of Warwick, Heather Wallace, Barry Greener
Barbara Mobbs, Prof Louise Campbell, Shirley Willis
Friends Council
Andrew Paine (Chair)
Mike Stansbie (Vice Chair)
Andrew Williams (Treasurer)
Gill Brooke (Membership Secretary)
Rodney Bashford, Jane Corrigan. Richard Chamberlaine-Brothers
Jonathan Evans, Jain Galliford, Ted Hiscocks, Brenda Stokes
David Williams, Martin Williams
New Members since September 2012
Honorary Life
Patrick Reyntiens, John Reyntiens
Life
Dr Sarah Collins, Dr Ian Hosier
Jim and Margaret Rushton, Ian and Susan Thompson
Annual
Rodney Bashford, Naomi Bowen, Dr Mary Charlton
Keith Corrigan, Prof Richard and Allison Farnell
Mr and Mrs Michael Green, Peter Lawrence, Robert Longstaff
Sandra Newton, Ian Marshall, Philomena Sullivan
RIP
Brenda Barley, Eileen Joan Kell, P G Malins
Peter Norman, John Willis
PETER NORMAN
Peter and Pam moved from Crewe to Coventry in 1974 and in the following year joined Saint Michael’s Singers. At that time
the Singers had just begun a liaison with the Caen Chamber Orchestra in Normandy. Since both of them were committed Francophiles
here was a perfect match – singing combined with an annual trip to France. The Singers were equally delighted to have
discovered not only two new friends, an excellent soprano and tenor, but also a professional accountant!
As Treasurer of Saint Michael’s Singers since 1976 Peter was a totally dedicated and meticulous custodian of the Society’s finances.
It is thanks to Peter’s diligence that the choir’s finances remained in a solidly healthy state throughout his tenure.
A committee member remembers standing with Peter and looking up the Nave towards the Tapestry. The building was totally
silent. "Isn't it such a privilege to be here; aren't we blessed?" and we truly were. Thinking about that moment again has brought
tears to my eyes, because I know that Peter truly felt the honour of being involved at the Cathedral.” Graham Warren
8
A VERY WARM WELCOME
TO OUR NEW DEAN AND...
.........OUR NEW ARCHBISHOP
In a centre-page spread for this first issue of the New
Year, our new Dean John Witcombe speaks exclusively
to the Friends about his vision, hopes and concerns for
the Cathedral and tells us about his family and his interests.
Passionate about the Anglican tradition and the Church
of England in particular, he is looking forward to developing
the relationship between the Cathedral and
the diocese in Coventry.
If you want to learn even more, we suspect his diary is
not yet overcrowded with dinner party invitations, but
don’t leave it too late!
JANUARY 2013
The Friends were among the first to congratulate the
Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby,
former Sub-Dean of Coventry, on his appointment as
the Archbishop of Canterbury. His P.A. replied to our
Chairman Andrew thanking him for his good wishes
and for the offer to present Bishop Justin with a limited
edition copy of “Reconciling People” - Coventry
Cathedral’s Story”. It is an offer he is “delighted to accept”.
The special copy will be presented during the
Faith in Conflict Conference in Coventry during February
2013.
Canon Kenyon Wright pays tribute to Justin - page 2
1

THE CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN
We all need friends
One of the things life teaches us,
is that we all need friends.
The Friends of Coventry Cathedral
are there in the big moments, and
provide support in the difficult
moments, in the life of this sacred
and “extraordinary place - whose
story we can’t ignore”.
Andrew Paine
Brief Encounter
If you had a few minutes on a station platform, in a lift, or at
a party, to invite someone to become a Friend, what would
you say? It’s the ‘brief encounter’ moment.
There are probably three or four things you could say.
Firstly, Coventry Cathedral is a quite extraordinary place.
The only English City with three Cathedrals. The great Priory
Church of St Mary, the only Cathedral demolished during the
Tudor Dissolution of the Monasteries. The Medieval St
Michael’s the only Cathedral destroyed during the Blitz. The
new Cathedral recently voted as ‘Britain’s favourite modern
building’.
Secondly, Coventry Cathedral stands as an authentic and visible
witness to the very warp and weft of the fabric of our
faith - renewal and reconciliation. The power and message
of reconciliation, which has never been more relevant for
our fractured world, is the Cathedral’s story and DNA, exemplified
in the iconic Coventry Cross of Nails.
Thirdly, Coventry Cathedral needs its Friends, as never before,
to provide financial and spiritual support, if it is to
maintain its heritage and sustain its life. As a modern Cathedral,
Coventry doesn’t enjoy endowments, and there are
‘two’ Cathedrals to maintain (the old and the new). If it is to
continue to inspire worshippers and visitors, it must depend
on donations, subscriptions, legacies, grants and its trading
activities.
Lastly, Friends receive as well as give. We are a worldwide
group of people who choose to support, and keep in touch
with, this holy and ‘extraordinary place’. Membership allows
unlimited free access to the Cathedral, a discount at the
Cathedral Shop, an invitation to the annual Friends Festival
Day and AGM, invitations to social events, talks, outings,
regular e bulletins, newsletters and above all, the company
of friends.
“Coventry – Cathedral of Peace”
In my book I have tried to convey something of the debt I owe
to others, and the gratitude and exhilaration I felt at being called
to share in the two “unique” aspects of ministry of the Cathedral.
The international ministry was given to us by the events of
history – by the inspired response which discerned God’s call in
these events. However, that global outreach was rooted, and
given its full meaning, in a team ministry, held together by honesty,
affection and regular sharing. History can never be repeated,
but perhaps Justin Welby has said more clearly what I
tried to identify in this book, namely the changed world in which
Coventry has still a unique opportunity. Shortly before the announcement
of his elevation, I received a lecture he gave in
Zurich on 26 October to a gathering of the Gnomes ! He called
it “Repair or Replace – Where do we start among the ruins?”, and
used the story of Coventry and the nature of the Cathedral’s response
as a lesson for a global society and economy in ruins. He
said “The question we need to ask is ‘what can finance do to be
socially useful’?. In the same way as the ruins of Coventry Cathedral
were turned from a hideous symbol of destruction to a symbol
of hope, of resurrection. of peace and a new form of
civilisation, so finance can move from being the wreckage of a
hubris induced disaster, to retrieving its basic purpose of enabling
human society to flourish effectively. There is a need for socially
useful purposes for banking and financial services” Welby was
speaking to financiers, but his prophetic words are surely true for
the whole of that human society which was always the object of
the Cathedral’s ministry
He ended “One principle seems to me to be clear, we cannot
repair what was destroyed in 2008, we can only replace it with
something that is dedicated to the support of human society”.
I believe he puts his finger on the radically changed world in
which we minister – on some of the questions of human society
which the Cathedral may be uniquely equipped to ask.
We have the prospect of an interesting and exciting Archbishop,
one who speaks Coventry’s language!
Canon Kenyon Wright
A Recollection of Justin Welby in Coventry
I'd not long been a Church warden, and was standing in
the north aisle behind the pulpit before the 10:30 am Eucharist.
Justin began the welcome and notices with something along
these lines: "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Justin
Welby, the Sub-Dean here." He then paused before continuing,
"That's silly; I'm Justin Welby to those who do know me
as well. Shall we start again?"
My recollection of the wording may be dodgy, but I clearly
remember recognising how relaxed he was in what appears superficially
to be a very formal atmosphere. Dave Goodall
The Secretary, The Friends, Coventry Cathedral, 1 Hill Top, Coventry CV1 5AB
Email: secretary@friendsofcoventrycathedral.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1061176
A CHALLENGE TO COVENTRY TO
CREATE A CATHEDRAL QUARTER
Speaking to a capacity audience of Friends in the Cathedral
Lecture Hall last month, Dr Jonathan Foyle, Chief Executive of
the World Monuments Fund (WMF) Britain, said that ‘he had a
high regard for Coventry’, but that ‘it continued to ignore its glorious
heritage and greatest assets’.
Since its Watch listing in 2012, WMF has secured over
£350,000, to repair more of the crumbling Ruins of the Old
Cathedral, to fund the development of a Tourism and Management
plan for the Hilltop and to enable the conservation of
Britain’s largest collection of loose medieval glass.
‘What we need’, he said, ‘is a compelling narrative to tell the
story of Coventry’s central role in British history. Don’t let’s talk
about the City Centre, but the Cathedral Quarter. Our perception
is immediately changed by the name. During the 14th and
15th Centuries Coventry was Britain’s fourth City (after London,
York and Bristol) and at the heart of Lancastrian lands and power
and adjacent to the great the Castles of Warwick and Kenilworth’.
‘Coventry is the only city in the country to have three Cathedrals’.
‘The Parish Church of St Michael was the largest, by area
and had the tallest spire, in England. It’s chantry chapels were
built from the proceeds of the 14th century trades, including the
dyers and weavers of the City’s famed blue cloth, the cappers and
the button makers’.
‘Bayley Lane is a remarkable example of an unspoiled medieval
street. The Guildhall is arguably the finest surviving guildhall
in the country, with a contemporary dynastic tapestry and
surviving heraldic stained glass. It was here that Henry VI
brought the Court, and Parliament, during the Wars of the Roses
in 1455, secure within the ancient walls of the City.’
‘The hidden story of medieval
Coventry is in the
glass, which was salvaged
from the clerestory of the
Old Cathedral before the
Blitz. Around 7,000 fragments
remain and have
been painstakingly catalogued
and conserved this
summer’.
‘Modern scholarship
has recognized that some of
the pieces are comparable
to the work of Coventry craftsman, John Thornton, England’s
greatest 15th Century glazier, who created the great East Window
of York Minster’.
‘The next stage’ he said ‘is to reinstate the Coventry Cathedral
Quarter, and it’s overlooked assets, as the cultural heart of
the City of 300,000 people’. Andrew Paine
Amici at Berkswell
AMICI (the Latin word for “Friends”) is an informal
group of singers founded in 2009, under the direction of Cathedral
Organist Kerry Beaumont. Some of the singers are members
of the Cathedral’s various choirs and other singers are, or have
been, connected with the Cathedral. One member, who used to
sing in the Cathedral’s Chapterhouse Choir, regularly travels up
from Southampton to sing with Amici.
The choir’s objectives are to support the Friends and Cathedral
in their outreach to the Diocese, to raise funds, to support the
Cathedral Music and to provide an opportunity for leading
singers to perform in a small ensemble.
Amici’s main programme is ‘Inspiration from Coventry
Cathedral’, which is an introduction to the Cathedral Story with
music, words and stunning big screen images. The music comprises
a capella (ie unaccompanied) works drawn from the English
choral repertoire and spans the centuries from Blitheman and
Byrd in Tudor times to works by Paul Leddington Wright, Adrian
Daffern and Kerry Beaumont himself. The works have been chosen
specifically to reflect the history and art of both Cathedrals,
and are complemented by readings selected by John Brassington.
So far we have taken this programme to churches in Arrow,
Batsford, Bedworth, Berkswell, Kineton, Kenilworth, Shottery,
Whatcote and Wootton Wawen.
This year has seen the launch of a new Advent programme,
featuring carols and motets from the famous Coventry Carol to
Paul Mealor’s A Spotless Rose, and including Poulenc’s four
Christmas motets as well as carols by Britten, Leighton, Sweelinck,
Tavener, Praetorius and Eric Whitacre.
Amici has also performed at Holy Trinity, Coventry and has
sung Evensong in the chapel of Blenheim Palace, as well as giving
a number of performances at the Cathedral.
If your church, is in the Coventry Diocese, and would be interested
in hosting Amici in 2013, please contact Amici’s Honorary
Secretary Julie Burt: julie.burt@tiscali.co.uk
REMINDER An exhibition of some of the glass can be seen at the Sir John Soane Museum in London until 26th January.
2 7

after I had admired it in an exhibition. It’s a picture of extraordinary
beauty and stature. Come and see it in the Deanery!
Who is your favourite composer/what is your favourite piece of
music?
It’s really hard to pick just one. I was taken to hear the Halle orchestra
as a child, and I’ve always loved Britten’s ‘Young Person’s
Guide to the Orchestra’, which was my first concert. As a
teenager I enjoyed Prog Rock – and was most excited to find a
video of one of my favourite pieces, ‘Ricochet’ by Tangerine
Dream, played live in the Cathedral. More recently I’ve come to
enjoy the classic choral repertoire, and will be enjoying Gibbons’
‘This is the Record of John’ at my farewell Evensong in Gloucester.
Last summer I went to hear Paul Simon perform his ‘Graceland’
album in Hyde Park – and I’ve just bought tickets for
Springsteen in the Ricoh stadium next June!
How do you spend your days off?
Walking! Oh yes – with a pub lunch tucked into the middle
somewhere.
How do you plan to develop the relationship between the
Cathedral and the Diocese?
The first thing is to get to know people across the diocese – I’ve
asked to visit all the clergy chapters in my first few months, to
hear what the clergy would like to see the cathedral doing for
them, and to listen to what they could offer the cathedral. The
cathedral needs to be a flexible space, secure enough in its own
identity to offer genuine hospitality, but also able to express the
character of the whole diocese, so that people genuinely feel it
is their home.
What role do you see the Friends of Coventry Cathedral playing
over the next few years?
I hope, a crucial one. The cathedral presents many challenges –
relational and physical. There is plenty of scope to strengthen
relationships between the cathedral and the city and county, and
I hope the Friends might be active in that area, helping everyone
to feel that the cathedral is ‘theirs’. And of course the fabric of
the building needs a great deal of upkeep, which means a great
deal of money – not just to maintain, but also to develop, to
imagine new ways of using the two wonderful spaces that we
have. I very much hope that the Friends would recognise their
own unique role in safeguarding the future of the cathedral at
every level.
You say that you will be open to invitations for meals - do you
have any special culinary likes, or dislikes?
Well, you’ll have gathered that I am a person of diverse tastes
and interests – I’m not especially keen on bland, and I’m always
open to new experiences. Really, it’s the company that counts
(mostly!)
Finally, what should our prayers be for you?
Taking on this new role is a privilege, an honour, an adventure –
but it is also really stretching. So, like Solomon, my prayer would
be for wisdom. And also for the very practical business of managing
two households for a year or so, and then settling into the
busyness and bustle of the Coventry city centre, finding that a resourcing
and refreshing place, building good and life giving
friendships, and maintaining a sense of humour! Perhaps above
all to know that I am walking with God, and that together we are
discovering the paths that he has set out for us.
“The Cross of Nails”
by Oliver Schuegraf
When Canon
Adrian remarked
breezily, three
years ago,
“Gren, you’re
the very man to
translate Oliver’s
book!” I must
confess that I
was rather in the
dark.
It had been
researched and
written during
Dr. Oliver
Schuegraf’s 4yearsecondment
to
Coventry Cathedral
from the
Lutheran Church
in Bavaria; the
German edition
of the book was
funded by the
Community of the Cross of Nails in Germany (whose continuing
kind support has also made the English edition possible).
It is about the spirit of reconciliation that motivates the Community
of the Cross of Nails and its 160 or so centres around the
world. The title of the original German edition spells out the message:
‘Vergebt einander wie Gott Euch vergeben hat’ (Forgive one
another, as God has forgiven you).
Oliver’s text falls into three main sections: part one is a very
readable summary of the historical roots of the CCN and the astonishing
developments that occurred in the wake of the destruction
of 14th November 1940; in the second part, the
reconciliation work carried out by several Cross of Nails Centres
is described, highlighting some recent and current projects in
specific centres; and in its last section, the author formulates a
‘theology of reconciliation’ out of the examples quoted – offering
a practical template, a starting point for each new attempt to
bridge a gap of hatred, greed or envy and seek reconciliation.
Copies are available via the websites of all good booksellers,
or from the Cathedral gift shop.
It was a pleasure to have the privilege of translating Oliver’s
German text. If performed correctly the translator should leave
the reader feeling that he/she is reading the author’s original
words. How far I have succeeded in this I cannot tell; but if the
book fails to move you, I can only ask you to blame that on me,
because Oliver’s original text is intensely moving.
Gren Hatton
YORK MINSTER, 1 December 2012
'A personal memory of the Installation of The Very Rev
Vivienne Faull, a former Sub Dean of Coventry, as the new
Dean of York'
The towers of the Minster glowed, seen through the bare early
December trees as I approached. They appeared to be lit up in
expectation; indeed, history was being made here today for the
whole Church.
Our Vivienne, whom we shall never forget as a breath of fresh
air in her work as Canon Pastor in Coventry in the 1990s, who
left us to become the first woman Cathedral Dean in the Church
of England, in Leicester, and who today would reach the highest
position of authority a woman has yet attained in the Church as
Dean of York MInster.
As you sit waiting you try to absorb the sheer size, the soaring
vaulted stone roof, the colours of the great east window behind,
the stone screen that is fronted with exquisite gothic canopies
over the gilded figures of crowned kings. We stand as the procession
enters. First the choirs of York and Leicester, the Chapter
of Leicester, Cathedral Deans or other representatives, Bishops
of the Church of England. Then the great forces of the archdiocese
of York, suffragan bishops and archdeacons, followed by the
Archbishop in full splendour of mitre and cope. The procession
already fills the long side aisle and the whole of the nave, but
there is more to come. Behind another cross and lights came the
officers and Chapter of the Minister, and, one step behind them,
revelation of the new Dean.
Archbishop John Sentamu and Dean Vivienne
in conversation.
It was explained that an ancient ceremony had taken place
in the Chapter House an hour earlier, when the prospective Dean
was admitted to the Chapter of York. 'The Letters Patent from Her
Majesty The Queen, granting to Vivienne Faull the place and dignity
of Dean of the Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of Saint
Peter in York were read.' Oaths were sworn on the York Gospels,
brought to York in 1018 from Canterbury and dating from the year
1000.
The long procession had been accompanied by "How shall I
sing that Majesty which angels do admire?' Its rapturous evocation
of the heavenly choir and the thousands that stand around
resonated with what we were experiencing. There was Vivienne
as the culminating point of all this 'majesty', almost a diminutive
figure, shyly and courteously approaching, smiling as she always
does, slightly bemused, no doubt at being at the end of this hierarchical
queue; awed no doubt as well, at the journey she has
come to reach this point; but certainly not over-awed. For some
reason Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese leader, came into my
mind. An absurd comparison, of course, but why was it there?
The same quiet tenacity and dignity; and the long debarment of
women in the Church has been a form of 'house arrest'; there has
been the same long wait, steadfast resolution not to give up, and
moral conviction now rewarded.
The Evensong that followed underlined what her role will be
in York, to foster this daily worship in all its beauty, and the life
and mission of this glorious place. The Bishop of Leicester talked
of her sterling work in his Cathedral. Her legacy too. It might be
the recently found remains of a dead monarch, Richard III. He
roguishly suggested that the people of Leicester would be glad to
trade these 'relics' to York, if they could keep their Dean. There
appeared to be no deal!
L-R Canon Margaret Sedgwick, Ken Sedgwick. Dean
Vivienne and Canon Tim Pullen
In his sermon Archbishop Sentamu spoke of what we were all
feeling, the joy somewhat marred by the negative decision of the
Synod on women bishops. His news that the Synod would be
asked to reconsider next July drew wild applause.
After we had sung '"Lo He comes with clouds descending"
the moment came for Vivienne to stand at the High Altar and to
give her first blessing as Dean. She spoke a few words letting us
in a little on how she felt with her customary crisp eloquence
and grace; a style of leadership for empowerment, that will perhaps
be the gift that women's ministry will bring to the
Church. As she descended into the nave at the end of the retiring
procession, applause began that rippled through the vast crowd
along the nave to the West Door. In the streets outside it fused
with the celebrations of the St Nicholas Fair.
Denis Baylis
6 3

GETTING TO KNOW OUR NEW DEAN
The Very Reverend
John Witcombe answers
a selection of questions
for the Friends New Year
What was it that attracted you to apply to become
Dean of Coventry?
Actually it was the diocesan priorities that first leapt out when I
saw it advertised – Worshipping God; Making New Disciples;
Transforming Communities. I thought, that’s what I want to do!
Then as I looked further at the priorities of the cathedral for reconciliation
both closer to home and across the world stage I
recognised the gospel that I offered my life for in ordination.
What are you most looking forward to, once you become Dean?
All of it, really. Leading a worshipping community. Tackling the
real practical challenges, along with the team – the financial
challenges are huge but something to get your teeth into. Building
relationships across a diverse diocese, all of whom need to
own the cathedral as their home. Getting to know people in the
city and working with others for the good of Coventry. Travelling
to meet partners in the Community of the Cross of Nails, and welcoming
them into the cathedral. There’s so much to be excited
about.
L-R, Ricarda, Abigail,
Emily, Tabitha and
Anna
Newsletter
Will you tell us about your wife and family?
My wife Ricarda is a priest, working at the moment as vicar of
St. Paul’s and Stephen’s, a fairly inner city church in Gloucester.
We have been married for twelve years – we met after my first
wife, who was also a priest, sadly died with Multiple Sclerosis. I
have three adult children: Joe, Abi and Anna. Anna is studying
costume interpretation (for stage or screen) in London; Abi works
at the moment as a teaching assistant, and is married to Matti,
Bishop Christopher and Dean John
who is the Children’s Worker in a large church in Bristol; Joe was
studying engineering at Bristol University but had to withdraw
with severe ME, and lives at home with us. Ricarda has two adult
daughters: Tabitha and Emily. Tabi is studying Natural Sciences
at Newcastle University, and Emily works in a doctor’s surgery in
Gloucester, and lives at home with us. We enjoy being part of a
large family, although it does have its challenges!
What is your vision for Coventry Cathedral in five years time?
I want the cathedral to be secure its sense of mission, and in the
resources to carry that out. It needs to be built securely on a
framework of partnerships – partnerships between the cathedral
community itself, and the city, the county, the diocese and the
international community of the cross of nails. I’ve already used
the phrase, “hand in hand in hand’, and you’ll be hearing that
again. Like many of us, I have strong feelings about admission
charges, and would dearly love to find those who would partner
with us to make such charges unnecessary. I hope that as we
begin to move into our second half century in the new cathedral
that we will find ways to enable it to ‘flex’ – to be supple, rather
than rigid, as we explore ‘what next’ in what might appear a ‘set
piece’ building. I am very excited indeed by the contemporary
three fold agenda of the community of the cross of nails – healing
wounded history, learning to live with difference and celebrate
diversity, and building a culture of peace – and hope to see these
really embedded across the diocese, and making a difference to
the presence of the cathedral in the city. And I believe that God
has a purpose for us in the wider Anglican Communion, as a
place and ministry which can draw people from quite diverse,
even opposing, backgrounds together in the service of the gospel.
So, quite a lot to aim for!
What does your present role as Director of Discipleship and
Ministry in Gloucester involve?
Well, I’m responsible for nurturing vocation and ongoing formation
in discipleship and for every sort of ministry throughout the
Gloucester diocese – alongside the Bishop, of course. Some of
my team work with those considering ordination or other forms
of licensed ministry, like Readers or members of lay ministry
teams. Others support discipleship across the whole church. We
also support those who are in licensed ministry – ongoing ministry
development. There are about a dozen in the team, and
there’s never enough time for all the opportunities, but it’s been
a very rewarding time. I’ve been in the department for over seven
years, and before I was the Director I spent the first five years as
Director of Ordinands, which is a wonderful post, discovering
people’s stories and sharing in the discernment of how God is
calling them.
What have you learned about cathedrals from your time in
Gloucester?
As a residentiary canon in Gloucester I have been able to learn
the ropes of how the ‘public’ face of the cathedral works, and
some of the frantic paddling that can go on behind the scenes. I
have learned of the incredible opportunities that cathedrals offer
– they really do welcome in an amazing cross section of the population,
and can provide a space for anyone to begin to make
sense of their life. They also present huge challenges – they exist
to offer hospitality, often consciously owning their Benedictine
tradition – but struggle to find the resources to make that a reality.
Their ministry, and their fabric, is hugely costly to maintain, and
this can distract from the mission to all comers.
What are the opportunities for English cathedrals in the 21st
century?
It’s well known that cathedrals are bucking the trend of decline
in attendance at worship: congregations, and visitor numbers are
up. The recent ‘Spiritual Capital’ report has identified the huge
value that the population of this country place on cathedrals:
whether or not a person counts themselves as ‘religious’, there is
something in a cathedral that draws them and enables them to
touch the divine. We offer not just a place for believing, but
also for belonging, and finding waymarks in a rapidly changing
world. In short, we offer what people find themselves looking for
– sometimes without knowing it beforehand!
How do you see your first 100 days as Dean of Coventry?
Frantic! Except that I know they can’t, and shouldn’t be – because
they also need to include space to pause and reflect on all
I am experiencing before it becomes so familiar that I forget how
it may strike a visitor, or outsider. I enjoy meeting new people,
and I look forward to getting out into the diocese and city from
the word go – I hope the cathedral community themselves will
be a little patient with me as I take the opportunities of being the
‘new boy’ to establish some important relationships which will
be important for the years to come. I look forward to days of
‘miracles and wonder’, of new discoveries, of enjoying worship
in the cathedral and the diversity of the city.
What do you see as the unique problems and possibilities for
Coventry Cathedral?
That’s quite a question! If I had a pound for every person who
has said to me – “Oh yes, I visited there. Fabulous building. I
went about thirty years ago. I haven’t been back.” – we might
solve our financial challenges. The cathedral has had fifty years
of extraordinary history – over seventy since the old cathedral
was destroyed. But what of the next fifty years? Both the building,
and the ministry, may need to ‘flex’ somewhat to respond to
changing contexts of mission and ministry, and to learn what God
is doing now and next, not just what he was doing sixty or seventy
years ago. Our story is unique, but isn’t at an end – we are
at a point of needing to write the next chapter. I see us playing
a vital part in national and international reconciliation in the
church (perhaps more than we have) as well as in the wider
world – at a time when the worldwide Anglican communion is
threatening to fracture, perhaps our history and experience can
offer something? As with everywhere that owns such a key event
in history, we need to recognise how that enables but can also
trap us – and we need to remember that a new generation simply
may not know the story.
How can the Cathedral Community best support the core Ministry
of Reconciliation in the future?
There are two ways, really – the first and most important is by
living it out. The contemporary three fold CCN agenda of: healing
the wounds of history; living with difference and celebrating
diversity; and building a culture of peace offer a pattern for us
all to commit to, making this a truly welcoming and hospitable
community. The second is to pray, and to look together for ways
that God may be seeking to grow the ministry, and to commit our
resources and imagination to that work.
Who is your role model?
When I was considering ordination, I was captivated by the story
and example of David Watson, who had an extraordinary gift of
communicating the gospel in an attractive way. Since then, I
have continued to enjoy the example of anyone who communicates
well, or seems to have the gift of living life to the full –
something not all clergy manage very well.
Ricarda and John on top of the World
What are you reading at present?
I usually have several books on the go. At the moment I’m reading
a collection called ‘Journey of the Heart’ in the morning,
which is an excellent overview of Christian contemplative writers;
Basil Spence’s ‘Phoenix in Coventry’ in the evening; and
‘Hope and Glory’ by Stuart Maconie to go to sleep with – that’s
a semi-comic history cum geography of Britain in the twentieth
century. I’ve just finished two fabulous books: ‘Jesus Freak’ by
Sara Miles, a wonderful liberal-evangelical description of outreach
ministry in San Francisco, very inspiring for any cathedral;
and ‘The Lying Days’ by Nadine Gordimer, an evocative and
provocative novel about South Africa from the 1950’s.
What is your favourite picture?
I have an original oil painting on my wall called ‘Regina’, by Osi
Rhys Osmond, painted in the Sudan when he was there with
Christian Aid. It was given me as I left my church in Uxbridge
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