Reflections of Cathedral Administrator on retirement - 1/3/2010
When Pat and I first came to the Cathedral 21 years, whilst I was still a Methodist minister, we were immediately struck by the friendless of the welcome and the jovaility of the Provost!
I had assumed that I would eventually finish my career as a local government person, but it seems that the Church and God had other ideas.
We began to see the Cathedral as our spiritual home, finding the music and the liturgy, and the spare beauty of the building especially compelling.
Little did we know then that four years later I would receive ordination as an Anglican, strongly nurtured in that direction by Canon Michael Kitchener, the then Canon Chancellor.
Being the Diocesan Secretary for ten years and Cathedral Administrator for five were just not on my radar, but so it turned out, and am truly thankful for all that it has meant.
I recall in my earliest days as a worshipper at the Cathedral very tentatively suggesting to the Provost that we might have a retiring collection for Christian Aid. He agreed, adding that "we do little enough of that sort of thing"
Comparing then with now, the Cathedral's contact with the world around us seems to have expanded hugely. Our work has seemed, over the past few years especially, to to be an ever-broadening river, embracing inter-faith, work with asylum seekers,music outreach and regeneration. Of course, we have hit a few rocks along the way, but the fertile and creative minds of colleagues and their feverish activity have meant there has never ever been a dull moment.
I would like to express my appreciation for the Dean's unfailing help support and encouragement, and to all of you for the way in which your mutual pastoral care has come our way on occasions when we needed it most.
This is the third time I have retired, but we boh fully intend to remain part of this great Cathedral community
