Annual Review 2017 the Dean’S Welcome
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Southwell Minster The Cathedral and Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Annual Review 2017 The Dean’s Welcome Cathedrals were in the limelight in 2017, made it a memorable occasion and one that under the gaze of the wider Church of we will build on as we continue to focus England’s concern to understand more outwardly, connecting with those most in completely why some are flourishing as need of support and hope. We have renewed centres of mission and worship, while others our partnerships within the worldwide are facing severe financial and organisational Church during the year, in particular with difficulties. Southwell Cathedral is the Diocese of Jerusalem through the visit categorised by the Church Commissioners of Canon Dr Fadi Diab and a group of as ‘just about managing’, but nevertheless Palestinian Christians, and with Bishop the Chapter has not been complacent. Our Dino Gabriel and the Diocese of Natal. work has focused on planning for financial sustainability, ensuring good governance We hosted over 50 ‘special’ services, many and compliance in the ever-changing areas of them reoccurring annually and important of risk management, cash flow monitoring, for the Minster serving a varied diocese and safeguarding, health and safety and human county. We are exceptionally well supported resources. The Chapter has completed a by the Lord-Lieutenant, Sir John Peace, self-evaluation process in preparation for as well as the High Sheriff and many civic developing a renewed five-year strategic leaders and dignitaries, and we plan to build plan supporting mission, ministry and and expand our links and partnership. growth. Our Diocese is clear in its aim to The year ended with a busy December, ‘Grow Disciples: wider, younger, deeper’ with encouraging numbers at carol services, and we are committed to be at the heart of including a successful new carol service for the Diocese sharing this ancient Minster Framework that highlighted their impressive church as a prayerful, welcoming and work with the homeless. Southwell Minster, resourcing well of spiritual refreshment and as a cathedral and parish church, has unique pilgrimage. opportunities to intrigue all our visitors Unexpected but wonderful news came of the and worshippers with the Christian faith, successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund presenting it as joyful, life-giving and utterly for a grant to develop the first phase of the relevant to the challenges of the 21st century. £2.2 million scheme of conservation, repair The community of dedicated staff and and interpretation of the stunning Chapter volunteers make all of this possible, and for House. Much hard work combined with each one I am profoundly thankful. exciting opportunities lie ahead (see p. 10). The Very Revd Nicola Sullivan, The annual Southwell Lecture was revived Dean of Southwell in November after a few years’ lapse and, Tel: 01636 817282 (Dean’s PA) appropriately in the 500th anniversary year, Email: [email protected] the title was ‘The Reformation and why it matters’. The Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington and notable church historian, drew a good-sized audience from across the Diocese. Theological engagement and learning is pivotal to the Cathedral’s ministry. During the Patronal Festival weekend, Professor John Milbank gave an open lecture to the College of Canons entitled ‘Populism: Danger or Opportunity?’, reflecting on the fast-moving socio-political changes across the western world and how the Church can connect to this sometimes- bewildering new context. In July, the Justice Action Group made a vital link with Syrian families who had recently come to the county, organising a special visit to the Minster, children’s activities Dean Nicola (r) with Bishop Paul (l) and and a splendid tea for over 90 people; they The Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlinson, who gave this year’s Southwell Lecture 2 | Southwell Minster Annual Review 2017 Worship and Liturgy Resilience is one of the words that comes from serving men and women, veterans and to mind when looking back over 2017: the family members. I was particularly proud need for it both nationally and much closer of the Choristers, many of whom are quite to home, and the creative response to many young, as they listened carefully to the two of the challenges facing us. moving accounts of both battles. At the start of the year, Simon Hogan and The country suffered setbacks this year Ed Turner continued in their positions of in the shape of terrorist attacks and the responsibility as Acting Rector Chori and Grenfell Tower fire. At the Minster, we Assistant Director of Music. Friends and have tried to respond through our coming colleagues filled in when needed, but it was together in prayer; holding those most a punishing schedule that they oversaw affected continually within the frame of our with grit and flair in equal measure! They major services. It is a time where we need innovated when they thought it would add to support one another and show resilience to the quality and excitement of worship, not only in how we live and how we think while the more pressure there was, the more but also in how we express our beliefs they responded, with outstanding playing and our worship for the strengthening of and thoughtful direction. Since then, it our communities. Though security of our has been a great delight to welcome Paul, buildings increases, we are still fortunate we Ruth and little Martha into the life of this can open our doors every day thanks to the place. All three together have made such a dedication of the Vergers and our volunteers contribution already, with both Paul and – vital for all who come and pray and wish Ruth contributing to Friday Lunchtimes and for a world transformed. Martha adding to the prayers occasionally at Evensong! The Revd Canon Jacqui Jones, Canon Precentor The changes within the Music Department Tel: 01636 817280 (Canon Precentor’s PA) do not minimise the continuous work of Email: [email protected] Celebrating all of Creation at producing vast quantities of services and our Animal Blessing Service the continual pressure to alter and correct in October them. Jasmine Oakes has weathered this often-thankless task for some years now, with quiet resolve and extraordinary grace. Vincent Ashwin also continues to support and help in gently assisting with eagle eye corrections; it has been such a reassurance to be able to chat through nuances of personal approaches to Eucharistic liturgies with a wise and gracious guide. Two very different services came my way during this last year. First of these was the national gathering of the British Anglican Cursillo movement in September. With the theme of pilgrimage very much in their DNA, it was fun to write a couple of prayers specifically for the service. Secondly, from 2014 I have been drawn more into the events and anniversaries surrounding the First World War in order to produce meaningful commemorations and services not only for local people but representing the county and the region’s own collective memory. We held a commemoration service for the Battles of Knightsbridge and El Alamein, both of which are of great regional importance, and the Quire was filled on this occasion by One of our Cathedral Carol Services in December Southwell Minster Annual Review 2017 | 3 Cathedral Choirs The start of 2017 was an unusual one for the term break when Simon Hogan played all Minster’s Music Department, as for the first six of Vierne’s Organ Symphonies in one day time since 1989 it included the appointment as part of an anniversary celebration. of a new Rector Chori in January. After the interview process, the term got into full swing with the Patronal Festival weekend. As is customary, Evensong with Admission of Stewards was sung on the eve of this Festival – on this occasion by the Girl Choristers and Lay Clerks – and included Macmillan’s wonderful Tota pulchra es. Following an energetic Schubert Mass in G the following morning, boys, girls and Lay Clerks all joined forces for an epic Festal Evensong with music to match. The Cathedral Choir at the top of the tower on Ascension Day Joint services were a feature of the Lent At the end of the summer term, we came The Choirs of Lincoln term, providing a wonderful opportunity together once more for the final Evensong of Cathedral and Southwell to meet and work with musicians from the year, at which we were to say farewell Minster rehearsing for Evensong together other local churches. The Minster Chorale firstly to a few Choristers, but also to Edward began February half term singing our Turner. Ed’s valediction was of note as it Sunday services with the choir from St was the second time he had left the Music Peter’s, Nottingham. Meanwhile, the Boy department: indeed, he was proudly wearing Choristers and Lay Clerks joined with their his Chorister medal and a Tippett for this opposite numbers from Lincoln Cathedral second valediction! The music, including for Evensong; and the Boy Choristers sang Howells’s St Paul’s Service and Walton’s The Evensong with the Choristers of St Mary Twelve, was sung with real enthusiasm and Magdalene, Newark. Adding to this busy was a fitting send-off for those leaving. schedule was a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion, a fitting mid-Lent devotion. The We were extremely busy in the new academic Lent term concluded with an astounding year with a number of important occasions, Rectors Chori past and Passiontide Procession – Finzi’s imaginative including the annual St Cecilia Concert. To present: Paul Hale (l) and setting of Lo, the full, final sacrifice its climactic celebrate Francis Jackson’s 100th birthday, Paul Provost (r) after the point – and all of our choirs playing their the Cathedral Choir (Boys, Girls and Lay latter’s Admission Evensong part in the Holy Week and Easter services.