ANNUAL REPORT 2011 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. Cathedral medieval glass painted by John Thornton - Photographs © Andy Marshall Thornton © - Photographs John glass painted by medieval Cathedral : Cover photo Cover THE DEAN’S REPORT “Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us” 2 Timothy 1v14 od has blessed us here so much with a wonderful where Andy and I and Canon David Porter were given the story and magnificent Cathedrals. More than that, He warmest of welcomes by the Deans of North America in April. gives us warm friendships and special people who Thanks to Canon David’s work, the world wide Community of the make up His community in this place. Even more than Cross of Nails is flourishing again though we will sorely miss the G these, He gives us the “good treasure” of the gospel championing of the Very Revd Jim Diamond who died in 2011. and asks us to guard it and pass it on to future generations. Our music and worship continues to inspire and it has been great Fortunately, we are not required to do this in our strength but by to see the choirs growing and improving all the time with some the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in every Christian. special individual achievements as well. I rejoice that 2011 has been another year of faithful ministry. The Buildings tend to be the major drain on our income and 2011 was gospel has been preached and shown in many ways not least during no exception. When a great crack appeared in the south wall of our “building Community” week when we hosted a team from the the ruins, my heart sank. In fact, this made the difference to our Lee Abbey international community. It is so encouraging to know being placed on the watch list for the World Monuments Fund. that Jesus Christ is good news for every person wherever they Along with the support of Dr Jonathan Foyle this should make a come from. It’s therefore been very exciting to see the growing great difference to fundraising in the future. I am delighted that St work amongst internationals this year. The student ministry also Michael’s House - our former home - is being greatly used already continues to build. We said farewell to Chloe Merrix but welcomed and that plans for the Jubilee year came together. Jimmy Lawrence to take on the work. In these times of recession, the ministry to un-churched youth in the city centre continues to In the economic circumstances the world faces, we might expect grow and be much needed, “Coffee Tots” flourishes and, with the this to have been a disastrous year financially. In fact, thanks to the help of the Diocese,“Urban Hope” is established. hard work of our Business team, the careful oversight of my Leadership Team and the generous response of the community to It has been particularly good to see churches working together. At our Gift day, we have come in on budget and better. the beginning of the year, a number of church leaders in the city from different streams committed to meeting together for an hour During 2011, I decided to accept a new appointment in Cambridge of prayer every week during term times. This is a major which will mean leaving Coventry after 11 years of ministry. As I commitment but God has honoured it and relationships between prepare for my departure in 2012, I rejoice in all God’s goodness the churches flourish. Out of it has grown Pentecost Praise, the and faithfulness over that time. I remain very grateful to all who Prayer House and now Foodbank – churches working together to work so hard, both as staff and volunteers. May we all continue provide food for the hungry. We also rejoice in the ever increasing faithful in “guarding the good treasure.” partnership with Holy Trinity doing healing ministry, alpha course and now “Growing Leaders” together. Moreover, new opportunities now surface in Radford through our links with St Francis and with Revd Buff Stone joining the team. Travelling abroad always underlines just how much Coventry is The Very Reverend John Irvine appreciated overseas. This came through again in Houston Texas Dean of Coventry LITURGY AND MUSIC The Reverend Canon David Stone, Precentor Our choirs go from strength to strength… 2011 was a year of extraordinary success for our Cathedral Choristers. orshipping God is the go to Corinne Hepburn and Paul runner-up among the boys. This is an first of the priorities Leddington Wright for their sterling extraordinary achievement and much which guides the life support in the months following Alistair’s credit goes to Kerry Beaumont, our of our Diocese and departure. Director of Music, for his tireless W continues to be at the encouragement and skill in training our heart of all that we are as a Cathedral. I would also like to place on record talented youngsters. It’s my hope and prayer that our worship the sense of loss experienced by the together will inspire and energise the Cathedral community as a whole during Thanks to generous support from the ‘making new disciples’ and ‘transforming 2011 with the deaths of David Stokes, Friends of Coventry Cathedral, I’m communities’ (which form the other two one of our honorary vergers, in January delighted that the organ is as it should priorities the Diocese has set itself to and Pat Holmes, a long-standing member be with some much-needed repairs work towards) both for the Cathedral of the Servers Guild, in August. Each now completed in full. community and the many visitors who gave so much more than can be join us from around the world. expressed in a mere sentence and we A concert by Carlo Curley in April continue to miss them enormously. launched a summer series of recitals 2011 has been a year of change as two which was, once again, much appreciated long-standing members of staff have Our choirs go from strength to strength and well supported. moved on. Janice Clarke’s distinguished and it’s very encouraging to note the tenure as Head Verger came to an end in significantly higher standards being I’m very grateful to the team I have the the summer as she retired in order to achieved by the Boy Choristers, due in privilege of working with for their savour the delights of becoming a no small part to their new Saturday commitment and dedication. In addition grandmother and we bade farewell to morning rehearsals. A highlight for the to those already mentioned Paul Warren Alistair Reid, our Assistant Director of Boys and Clerks during the year was heads the team of servers and Music, whose much-appreciated skills are their successful week in residence at St Tammy James does valiant work as my PA. now being enjoyed at Christ Church, David’s Cathedral at the end of August. Greenwich, Connecticut in the United In addition, I’m enormously thankful for States. Talk of success brings me to the news the hard work put in by the members of that two of our choristers made it into our choirs and the parents of our In their place we have welcomed Jenny the final eight of the prestigious BBC choristers, and for the generosity of all Thurston as Head Verger, Marlon Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year those whose giving of time, talents and McLaughlin as an Assistant Verger and we competition. Ella Rainbird-Earley was money helps to sustain the Cathedral’s appointed Laurence Lyndon-Jones as judged to be the winner among the girl ministry of music and worship. To one Assistant Director of Music. My thanks choristers and Laurence Stannard was and all – thank you. I RECONCILIATION Canon David Porter, Canon for Reconciliation Ministry While Reconciliation remains at the heart of all that Coventry Cathedral does, a number of our activities specifically develop this ministry in creative and exciting ways.