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ANNUAL REPORT 2012 VISION The Cathedral and its people are called to be a World Centre of Reconciliation and this is our overarching aim in everything we do. Mission: To be a place of WELCOME where people of every nationality, faith, age and culture can learn about Jesus, GROW in understanding and commitment to reconciliation inspired by the story of this place, EXPERIENCE God’s love in which forgiveness and peace bring reconciliation in place of hatred, hurt, conflict and alienation, RESPOND by choosing to live changed lives in their relationships with family, community and God and CELEBRATE all that God is and has done for ourselves, each other and the earth. To achieve our vision we aim to: • Inspire and equip a new generation of people and leaders committed to reconciliation by sharing our story of God’s reconciliation and renewal; • Encourage spiritual renewal through accessible and memorable worship, providing opportunities to learn about Jesus, explore the Bible and study the Christian faith • Provide and maintain the best possible facilities for all who use the Cathedral, working in partnership with the Diocese and the City to achieve more for our mutual benefit. • Grow healthy congregations who worship God in a variety of ways, nurturing, affirming and valuing the existing Cathedral community of congregations, staff and volunteers. • Provide a unique and memorable visitor attraction and place of pilgrimage, offering excellent educational and learning opportunities to every child that visits. • Be a responsible steward of the Cathedral’s heritage - its buildings, art and choral tradition - enjoying them as a resource for us today and protecting them for the benefit of future generations. • Effectively and sustainably resource the Cathedral, so that we are able to achieve our vision and maintain its core purpose as a house of God. 2012 ACTING DEAN OF COVENTRY “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29v11 012 was an extraordinary year for Coventry Cathedral. We have 2012 was also a very significant year for the Community of the Cross of Nails. experienced God’s blessing in so many ways and marked our Golden Under the inspiring leadership of Canon David Porter, the Community of the Jubilee anniversary with a year of glorious worship services and Cross of Nails (CCN) continues to grow, with six new partners and two new 2 wonderful events. International Cross of Nails Schools joining during the year. We hosted two significant gatherings of the CCN. The CCN Youth Conference took place in Our Golden Jubilee provided us with the opportunity to welcome a greater June and an international gathering of the CCN in September. It was a number of visitors than normal and to share the amazing story of particular joy to be able to introduce our new Dean, John Witcombe, to the reconciliation that continues to shape the life of Coventry Cathedral and international delegates. We have experienced a renewed sense of partnership which lies at the heart of the gospel message. I know from personal and enthusiasm for the ministry of peace and reconciliation which is focussed conversations with visitors that many have been moved by their experience on Coventry Cathedral. In May we welcomed John Mumford when he was of being in the Cathedral and learning more about its ministry. installed as one of our Canon Theologians. John is a National Director of Vineyard Churches in the UK and Ireland and brings with him a wealth of Under the oversight of our Precentor, Canon David Stone, our music and experience in church growth and mission. worship have continued to flourish and the daily, weekly and seasonal patterns of worship remain foundational to the life and witness of the Cathedral. As custodians of our built heritage, we continue to face a number of challenges in both the Ruins and the new Cathedral. Our partnership with the World There have been many wonderful services but I must make mention Monument Fund (Britain) has resulted in the equivalent of £1 raised for every of the memorable Golden Jubilee service, held in the presence of person living in Coventry. This has funded the conservation cleaning and HRH The Princess Royal and 1700 friends and guests, at which Archbishop cataloguing of nearly 12,000 pieces of medieval glass and the production of a Rowan Williams gave a stimulating address drawing on the art and architecture Conservation Management Plan for the Cathedral Quarter, which will guide of the Cathedral. We valued the opportunity of sharing our worship more us in making the decisions to provide a long-term and sustainable financial widely with BBC live broadcasts of our Easter Eucharist on the television and future for the Cathedral as a tourist attraction. our Sunday morning worship on the radio. In addition the BBC recorded two further episodes of ‘Songs of Praise’ at the Cathedral. The crack in the southwest wall has been repaired and, as always, we acknowledge the support of external funders such as English Heritage, WREN Our 2012 celebrations began in February with the ‘Sing Joyfully’ concert and and the Headley Trust. However, there is a great deal more to do to restore continued throughout the year with some 20 events, including a glorious the north wall, explore the possible uses for the Crypts and raise the funds for Flower Festival, concert performances by the CBSO and chorus, the BBC repairing the drains under the new Cathedral and begin work on the Philharmonic and Dame Gillian Weir and a splendid Gala Concert under the conservation of the ‘Christ in Glory’ tapestry. direction of Paul Leddington-Wright. The celebrations drew to a close with a wonderful series of Christmas worship services and concerts. An immense 2012 has been a great celebration of our Golden Jubilee but as I hand over amount of work went into ensuring that all of these events were so successful the responsibility of leading the Cathedral to the new Dean, John Witcombe, and I am grateful for the support of staff and volunteers who contributed so I am aware of the very significant challenges that lie ahead, not least in ensuring much in all sorts of ways. a sustainable financial position is secured. Nevertheless I am also convinced that there are great opportunities for the development of Coventry The joy of our celebrations in 2012 was mingled with the sadness of saying Cathedral’s ministry and full of hope that God has good things in store farewell to our Dean, John Irvine and his wife Andy, after 11 years of faithful however great the challenges we face. The words from Jeremiah are ones that ministry among us. Our Executive Director, Jane Woodward, and her husband I encourage us all to take hold of as we look to the future. Peter, who was Chair of Coventry Cathedral Friends, also moved on, with Jane taking up a new role at Wells Cathedral. There were further changes in our staff team with the move of our Youth Minister, Keith Parr, to a significant leadership position in another Coventry church, and with the departure of our Cathedral Curate, Becky Jones. We miss them all greatly but are delighted that The Reverend Canon Tim Pullen they have all moved on to new and exciting roles. Sub-Dean and Canon Pastor LITURGY, MUSIC AND VERGERS The Reverend Canon David Stone, Precentor Throughout our Golden Jubilee year we were constantly reminded of the power and passion that music brings to our worship. 012 has been a golden year, continues to be strong, though we need to Association and to those who do so much especially for the Cathedral’s replenish our supply of choral clerks, not as Servers and Honorary Vergers. musicians. The Choir’s hectic year least following the departures of Peter began with a trip to Germany in Woodward and Krystle Kirby, who leave Maintaining high standards in music and 2 February, performing first in with our warm thanks for all they have liturgy is hugely challenging and fulfilling. It Berlin and then in Dresden as part of the given to the life of our Cathedral. simply would not be possible without the events marking the city’s bombing in 1945. hard work of our dedicated and hard- A successful series of summer organ working team, and the generosity of those On Easter Day, BBC1 broadcast the recitals was brought to a triumphant close who support us both practically and Cathedral Eucharist live and then by Dame Gillian Weir, who chose financially. To one and all – thank you! I recorded two ‘Songs of Praise’ Coventry as one of the venues during her programmes. These were transmitted in final series of public performances. June (focusing on the Cathedral’s Golden Jubilee) and September. During our Also on the organ front, celebrating 50 Alumni Weekend in October we hosted years of our musical legacy, Kerry Radio 4’s Sunday morning worship. Beaumont recorded a CD which includes For many the main highlight of the year nine world premieres of works by was the Golden Jubilee service on May modern composers. th 25 . We were joined by many friends On the staffing front, we said a fond and former colleagues, together with farewell during the year to John Hosiene, HRH The Princess Royal and the who has now retired. David Howarth is Archbishop of Canterbury, to give thanks now Deputy Head Verger, with Adrian to God for the past 50 years. It was an Williams and David Williams as new immense privilege to create and be part members of the Vergers team.