Joyfully proclaiming the love of God in worship, outreach, welcome and care
APPOINTMENT OF A CANON RESIDENTIARY
with responsibility for Education and Outreach
Following the retirement of the Reverend Canon Alan Hargrave, effective from 17 February 2016, the
Bishop of Ely, in consultation with the Chapter, is seeking to appoint a new Residentiary Canon for
Ely Cathedral who will lead on these areas in the Cathedral and as part of Outreach contribute to IME2
within the diocese.
Background information
With considerable expansion planned for the City of Ely and considerable interest in Cathedral
worship and mission this is an exciting time to be involved in Cathedral ministry.
1. The Cathedral’s Mission statement Joyfully proclaiming the love of God through worship,
outreach, welcome and care underpins all that we do and is the springboard for the main
elements of the Strategic Plan which can be found on the website.
2. Recently Chapter has been developing longer term perspectives. We want people to be able say
“Ely Cathedral makes a difference” and does so
-spiritually to all who enter the cathedral and precincts
-to the community in which we are set and to the county
-to the diocese and its parishes
-to the wider communities that technology allows us to engage with
3. Chapter’s principal Goals for the next 5-10 years are:
-to see considerable congregational/community growth and spiritual development
-to be known as a place of inclusive, generous and high quality hospitality and care
-to offer prophetic outreach to, and engagement with, the wider world
-to have a financially secure base to support the mission of the Cathedral.
This appointment will be particularly focussed on the second and third of these goals, together
with having a significant part to play in the first.
Chapter’s Strategic Plan which is integral to this may be found at
www.elycathedral.org/files/pdf/resources/ely-cathedral-chapter-strategy-jun-2015.pdf
A considerable amount of work is being done at the moment to produce a Masterplan for the
Cathedral site. This is likely to result in a Heritage Lottery Fund bid for a major development. One of
the outcomes of this development will be considerably improved facilities and opportunities for
welcome, hospitality and education, all of which are central to this role.
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Ely Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Ely which serves the people of Cambridgeshire,
a small part of West Norfolk and the edge of Peterborough. It is the seat of the Bishop and a centre
of worship and mission. Chapter’s strategy is strongly aligned to that of the Diocese; the Diocesan
Strategy may be found by following this link
www.elydiocese.org/files/8214/4259/1239/TowardsEly2025_Finalv2.pdf
This appointment includes an element of time working with IME 2 in the Diocese, thus strengthening
the Cathedral’s place within the Diocese, and making more visible the Cathedral’s contribution to the
life of the Diocese.
The double monastery for men and women, founded in 673 by St Etheldreda, was destroyed by the
Danes in 870 and re-founded as a Benedictine community in 970 by Dunstan and Ethelwold. Over the
centuries it grew into one of the three most important pilgrimage centres in medieval England. Work
began on the present building in the 1080s under Abbot Simeon and in 1109, with the appointment
of Bishop Hervey, it became a Cathedral. For more than 400 years, it was both the church of the
Benedictine monastery and a Cathedral, but after Henry VIII dissolved the monastery in 1539 it
continued to exist as a Cathedral only. The Octagon and the Lady Chapel were built in the 14th century
and are masterpieces of medieval architecture. As a result of the Great Restoration of 1980-2000, the
Cathedral and medieval college buildings are in the best state of general repair for several
generations, though there is ongoing need for considerable expense on the fabric.
The City of Ely has a population of 20,000 (2011 Census) and enjoys excellent road and rail
communications to all parts of the country. Some 3000 houses are due to be built on the north side
of the City in the next ten years, so there is considerable population expansion anticipated which
offers opportunity and challenge for the Cathedral and city.
GOVERNANCE
Chapter
There are eight members of Chapter. The Dean and three residentiary Canons (Jim Garrard, Vicky
Johnson and the vacant Canonry); four non-resident members appointed by the Bishop – Tom Green
(businessman, farmer and member of congregation), Hugh Shilson-Thomas (Dean and Chaplain of
Selwyn College), Sarah Squire (recently retired President of Hughes Hall and former diplomat) and
Tim Bellis (who joined Chapter in December, a solicitor by training, and now working at the Judge
Business School in Cambridge). Chapter meets ten times a year, and is responsible for the strategic
direction and oversight of the Cathedral, and is the principal executive body of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral Council
Currently chaired by Sir David Harrison, the Council meets twice a year to support the spiritual,
pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical work of the Cathedral, and to review and advise upon
the direction and oversight of the work of the Chapter. It considers proposals concerning the
general direction and mission of the Cathedral; receives the annual budget, the annual report and
the audited accounts. The 18 members are drawn from across the diocese and include three
members elected from the Cathedral Community.
The College of Canons
The College is chaired by the Dean and meets twice a year; once in October, to receive and consider
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the accounts and annual report and to discuss such matters as may be raised by its members. This
meeting is usually followed by Evensong or a Eucharist in celebration of St Etheldreda and a dinner.
A second meeting in April/May aims to provide theological and intellectual input for the College. In
the last three years we have had input from Prof. Andrew Davison, Francis Spufford and Prof.
Richard Burridge. There are 25 ordained canons, 12 lay canons and three Ecumenical Canons – plus
the Dean and residentiaries.
The Chapter Clerk and Administrator
This critical and pivotal role is held by Stephen Bourne. In business terms the Chapter
Clerk/Administrator is the Chief Operating Officer for the Cathedral, or in civil service terms is akin
to the Cabinet Secretary. The Chapter Clerk/Administrator has a central role in assisting Chapter in
its strategic thinking and overseeing the implementation of that strategy. He oversees an excellent
team of lay managers and is responsible for the day to day operations of the Cathedral including
financial and property management. Recent years have seen a greater order, stability and
confidence in this side of the Cathedral’s life – expenditure is well controlled, but innovation and an
outward looking entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged; there are many exciting new ventures
happening.
A number of background documents including the accounts, the constitution and statutes may be
found at www.elycathedral.org/welcome/who-we-are/useful-documents
For the make-up of the diocesan Department of Ministry please see Appendix at the end of this
pack.
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RESIDENTIARY CANON with responsibility for Education and Outreach
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST
As a residentiary Canon
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to play a full part as a member of Chapter providing strategic governance for the Cathedral.
Chapter meets 10 times a year.
to share with the other residentiary canons the duties of ‘being in residence’, normally 15-16
weeks a year. The Canon-in-residence is in effect the priest on duty and must be present at
all Morning and Evening Prayer during their period of residence or else arrange alternative
cover; s/he is the first substitute in the event of a rostered priest failing to appear. Other
occasional duties fall to the resident canon e.g. being present and welcoming at services
and concerts that occur; officiating at weddings during her/his week of residence. During
their period of residence it is expected that a canon will ‘walk the floor’ on a regular basis
and be visible at any major events that are taking place.
Unless there is good reason attendance at Morning and Evening Prayer is expected of all the
resident clergy, whether or not they are in residence. It is hoped that there would be a
commitment to regular attendance at the Eucharist.
In relation to Education and Outreach
We are seeking to maintain the strong engagement we have with schools and see this develop under
our new Director of Education Sally Newton. Some 8-9000 school children visit the Cathedral every
year and Chapter places a high priority on this work.
Chapter aims to see the cathedral and community grow numerically as well as spiritually and this post
will have an integral part to play in this, particularly in the provision of adult education in a variety of
forms. We would like to see the Cathedral develop its role as a place of theological learning, and as a
school of faith resourcing the wider church.
The Cathedral receives over 150,000 visitors a year and we aim to ‘turn tourists into pilgrims’. The
Ministry of Welcome Team, the Cathedral Guides and the Day Chaplains are integral to our
engagement with visitors – in total these three groups account for well over a 100 of our volunteers,
and without them our ministry and mission would be severely diminished. We are developing App
downloads and interactive facilities to assist with the interpretation of the Cathedral.
An important element of the outward-facing part of this role will be for the new Canon to
contribute approximately 0.25 of her/his time to work in the wider Diocese. This is a new venture,
and a specific contribution from the Cathedral to the Diocese; all the ministry costs for this post will
be funded by the Cathedral. The Diocese will provide administrative support for this work.
We are seeking someone who will be the IME phase 2 officer working with the Director of Ministry
Canon Linda Church.
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Very particular responsibilities will be:
Cathedral
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To line manage the Director of Education and oversee the work of the Education Centre.
The new director started in September 2015.
To oversee and develop an adult education programme that engages beyond the core
Cathedral congregation. There has been a regular series of lectures during recent years eg
on Science and Religion and a series on Art and Faith; there is also an annual Amnesty
lecture, and the annual Etheldreda lecture given by a prominent woman.
In conjunction with the Canon responsible for congregational development, to organise
adult Confirmation classes and ongoing study groups.
To be the Chapter’s principal link with the Ely Cathedral Business Group.
To develop a strategy for prophetic engagement with contemporary issues
To oversee the work of the Ministry of Welcome, Guides, and Day Chaplains.
To develop the links the Cathedral has with the parish of St John at Hackney, London and
Zanzibar Cathedral; the Diocese has links with Kigali Diocese, Rwanda and the Lutheran
Nordekirche in Germany: as these develop you will be the called upon to be involved.
To be the Cathedral’s representative on Ecumenical groupings within the City.
Diocese
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Using the formation for ministry criteria (phase 2) to review and renew the training
programme for Training Incumbents and Curates; to assess progress against agreed criteria;
and working with the Training Incumbents and Curates assess competency at the
completion of the programme.
Other Cathedral roles
Attendance at the following meetings/committees is expected
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Chapter meetings
Cathedral Council (if nominated)
Weekly diary meeting (normally Tuesday morning)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are seeking a priest colleague who:
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Has been in holy orders for at least six years
Is committed to the pattern of prayer that underpins Cathedral life
Has a proven record in engaging with the wider community in areas of mission and
education, and combines energy and passion with spiritual maturity
Is an excellent communicator and a lively and intelligent preacher
Has a higher degree in theology or a related subject (a desirable though not essential
criterion).
Has experience in the delivery of educational programmes and developing others
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Is comfortable in an essentially “modern catholic” liturgical context and can achieve that
subtle balance of holiness and humanity, reverence and fun
Has experience of managing others
Can discern, develop and harness the gifts of others and able to promote the outwardfacing work of the Cathedral
is not afraid of being accountable or taking initiatives
Will flourish in team of clergy and laity working hard together
Terms and Conditions
This post will appointed under Common Tenure and, as such, the post holder will be entitled to the
following:
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A stipend in accordance with the rates set by the Church Commissioners for a Residentiary
Canon
Housing within the Cathedral precinct
Reimbursement of working expenses
36 days annual leave in each year
An uninterrupted rest period of 24 hours in each period of seven days
Pension provision
A right to paternity/parental/maternity/adoption leave/care for dependants; and
Protection against unfair dismissal and the right of appeal to an employment tribunal in
cases of capability dismissal;
Access to a grievance procedure; and the right to hold and carry out public duties other than
the duties of office (subject to the agreement of the Dean and Chapter)
The post holder will be accountable to Chapter, through the Dean, and under Common Tenure will
be required to meet the following responsibilities;
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Undertake appropriate continuing ministerial development;
Participate in ministerial development review once a year
Undergo medical support and examination where appropriate; and’
Be subject to a capability procedure.
This post is subject to enhanced DBS check.
PROCESS FOR APPLICATION
Please send a completed application form by e mail or post by 5pm on Friday 5 February to
The Dean’s PA, Mrs Sarah Coakley, The Chapter Office, The College, Ely CB7 4DL or
s.coakley@elycathedral.org
Interviews will be held on 7 and 8 March 2016.
If you wish to speak with the Dean to discuss a possible application please feel free to make an
appointment through his PA.
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APPENDIX - The Department of Ministry:
Director
The Revd Canon Linda Church
PA and Ministry Administrator
Jennie Woolston
Ministry Training Officer 0.5 wte (Licensed Lay Ministry)
The Revd Nick Moir
D.D.O.
The Revd Canon Anna Matthews
Secretary to DDO & Vocations Officer
Helen Griffiths (0.4 wte)
Discipleship Officer
The Revd Janet Glover
ALM Training Officer
Canon Jan Payne
Warden of Readers
Steve Mashford
Bishop’s Adviser for Self-Supporting Ministry
The Revd Jenny Gage
Bishop’s Adviser for Women’s Ministry
The Revd Canon Jessica Martin
Bishop’s Adviser for Conflict Resilience
The Revd Ruth Adams
Bishop’s Adviser on the Healing Ministry
The Revd Alasdair Coles
Bishop’s Adviser for Deliverance & Reconciliation
The Revd Canon Matthew Bradbury
As a ministry team we hold the responsibility for clergy ministerial development, ministry
development review, initial ministerial education (Phase 2), training of Licensed Lay Ministers, and
Authorised Lay Ministers, and follow up training, day courses etc. The nurture of vocations and
preparation of candidates for national selection.
We are involved in implementing the Diocesan strategy, particularly in facilitating Discipleship
training across the Diocese.
At present we have 30 curates in training – 10 per year over the three years – 15 stipendiary full time,
15 part-time self-supporting, with 9 new Deacons being ordained in July 2016.
We participate in a regional training event for training incumbents, and we have 2 additional training
events in house around assessment and paperwork.
We advertise each year for Training Incumbents who supply us with personal CVs and contextual
descriptions.
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We have a small number of pioneer curates who are jointly supervised by Ed Olsworth-Peter, Fresh
Expression of Church and Young Adults Adviser, and are planning more development work around
recruiting and training T.Is to supervise pioneers effectively.
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