THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GUILDFORD
INFORMATION for APPLICANTS
for the
POST of DEAN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
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The Role of the next Dean
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Challenges of the Role
Main Responsibilities of the Role
Person Specification
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The Cathedral and its mission
Background information on the communities served
Background information on the Diocese of Guildford
Background information on the Cathedral
Fabric and Finance
Summary
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The Application Process
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Appendix - Guildford Cathedral – Life and Ministry
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For further information on the life of the Cathedral please see Guildford Cathedral
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2011 which are also on the vacancy website,
as is the recent THEOS/Grubb Institute Report “Spiritual Capital – the present and
future of English Cathedrals”
Further background information can also be found on
Helpful Websites
http://www.guildford.gov.uk/home
http://www.cofeguildford.org.uk
http://www.surreycc.gov.uk
The “Spiritual Capital” Report
http://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/publications/2012/10/12/spiritual-capital-thepresent-and-future-of-english-cathedrals
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INTRODUCTION
This briefing pack has been prepared to assist those considering applying for the role
of Dean of Guildford in their discernment as to whether they wish to put their
name forward for this ministry.
The diocese has a mission strategy in place - “Growing Communities of Faith and
Engagement”- with particular emphasis on
 Growth in spiritual maturity
 Growth in numbers
 Growth in community engagement
www.cofeguildford.org.uk/diocesan-life/diocesan-common-purpose/
The challenges for the Cathedral and for the new Dean are set in this context.
THE ROLE OF THE NEXT DEAN
Challenges of the role
These will include
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Connecting the various pieces of a complex jigsaw. Examples will include:
on-going work on the Cathedral’s mission and vision, the hoped for
building projects and the challenging financial circumstances in which the
Cathedral finds itself. All this will require leadership of an early strategic
planning exercise to enable the Cathedral to set its course for its
ministry and mission over the next few years and oversight of the
delivery of various projects
Drawing together the Cathedral and the life of the town of Guildford,
thereby ensuring greater partnerships with both the Churches and the
key players in the town resulting in a widening of the hospitality that the
Cathedral provides
Deepening the Cathedral’s relationship with Church life across the
diocese by continuing the engagement already begun to open it up to
parishes, clergy and diocesan activity
Leading the Cathedral as one episcopal ministry draws to a close and
discerning with a new bishop the role of the Cathedral in his ministry to
the diocese
Moving forward existing project plans for very significant building and site
development projects, including being an advocate for a major fundraising
campaign and turning these to mission advantage
Developing the educative and exploratory emphases of the Cathedral’s
ministry and seeking to create culture which transforms ideas into
practical engagement and gospel action
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Main responsibilities of the role
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As Dean and senior priest in the Diocese, to share with the Bishop and
his other senior colleagues in the oversight of the Church’s mission, and
to be a member ex officio of the Bishop’s Council, Bishop’s Staff meeting
and the Diocesan Synod
As head of the Cathedral Foundation and its principal dignitary after the
Bishop, to preside over the Cathedral Chapter, with it to direct the life
and work of the Cathedral, and to take emergency decisions on behalf of
the Chapter when circumstances require
To represent the Church in public life across the Diocese, to grow
partnerships with faith and secular institutions, and to contribute to their
intellectual, social and theological capital
To preside over the College of Canons, to attend and participate in the
Cathedral Council and other statutory bodies, and in collaboration with
the Chapter to ensure sound governance across the Cathedral
To exercise leadership in the Cathedral’s liturgy, preaching and pastoral
care, to develop team working (with both lay and ordained colleagues) in
its ministry, and to be personally committed to its pattern of daily prayer
To lead the mission and outreach of the Cathedral, including the
presentation and interpretation of its heritage
With the Chapter, to have oversight of the Cathedral’s development and
to lead in securing funds for its long-term future
To ensure that the Cathedral’s operations are properly managed,
including staff, finance, compliance and the care of the fabric
To ensure that the Constitution and Statutes are faithfully observed
Person Specification
The new Dean of Guildford will be someone:
Spiritual Life
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Theology
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Not only spiritually nourished by worship
which is generally catholic in style and
committed to the Cathedral's rhythms of
corporate prayer but also genuinely open and
flexible with regard to worship style
Self-aware and experienced in sustaining their
own spiritual life
Interested in their own theological learning
and able to translate this into accessible and
challenging preaching and teaching
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Vision for Mission and
Delivery
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Engagement in
community life and
public issues
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Formation of others
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Management of
resources and
structures
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Leadership of others
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Working with others
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Able to frame a complex jigsaw of activity
into an overarching vision for the Cathedral’s
mission and ministry
With an innovative vision for the possibilities
of this Cathedral’s mission to Guildford and
across the diocese and with the gifts to
communicate this
Enthusiastic about making the Cathedral a
space for all and developing its ministry of
hospitality
An effective communicator and networker
Experienced in working with local
government and councils with an
understanding of the skills required in such
relationships
With an energy to involve the Cathedral in
making a practical contribution to community
life as well as in generating ideas and debate
A sensitive pastor with experience in creating
community
Interested in developing the ministry and
skills of clergy and laity by valuing the gifts of
others
Encouraging of the Cathedral’s role in
education.
With a sympathetic understanding of
management and oversight including HR and
finance
Comfortable with, and have some experience
of, fund-raising
Who has experience of overseeing a
significant building development project
Computer literate
Able to lead and inspire an experienced and
professional team of Chapter members, lay
staff and volunteers
Who can own the leadership responsibilities
of the Dean within a collegial environment,
with a capacity to master the detail but not
get immersed in it
Who will develop the roles of both Dean and
Cathedral in support of the work of the
Bishop and the Diocese
Who is sufficiently flexible to adapt to the
ministry of a new bishop
Someone who is happy to delegate and work
collaboratively
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Other
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Whose ministry will bring in resources and
ideas from the wider church and country to
enrich the life of Cathedral and county
Committed to their own vocational
development
It is accepted that not all candidates will have all these qualities in full measure.
THE CATHEDRAL AND ITS MISSION
The current context for the Cathedral and its mission is complex. The challenges of
the role, previously outlined, should be set alongside the likelihood that the new
Dean will begin his/her ministry at the time when the current bishop is retiring.
His/her significant leadership role in pulling the pieces of this “jigsaw” together will
be crucial to successful outcomes, talented and visionary work will be required to
provide the Cathedral with a “road map” for what might be challenging early years.
This background material endeavours to provide candidates with a general
perspective on the nature of this journey as well as an insight into the current life
and operation of the Cathedral.
Guildford Cathedral suffers from its geographical location and is in danger of being
seen as set apart and up the hill. The outgoing Dean opened many doors particularly
into the County of Surrey and the next Dean will wish to continue this and to
extend the reach of the Cathedral’s mission and ministry beyond those it currently
touches. The building of the Cathedral was funded by a “buy a brick campaign”
which had encouraged a strong sense of local ownership which the Cathedral needs
to re-engage with so that it is no longer the Cathedral on the hill, but our Cathedral.
In the same way, a significant theme of any vision for mission will be how it involves
itself in the daily life of the diocese and of Guildford and surrounding areas in its
ministry of being amongst those it serves.
Thus the theme of partnership rings out from the challenges identified. The new
Dean will need to push at the doors opened by their predecessor to identify how
the Cathedral can work with the local partners such as the borough council and the
university, with the bishop and diocesan administration and with parishes to bring
together their needs and aspirations with the hopes the Cathedral has for its role
and ministry.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE COMMUNITIES SERVED
Interestingly Guildford is a town and not a city – despite its Cathedral! Historically,
Holy Trinity has been the civic church for Guildford and more involved in the life of
the town. The outgoing Dean and the current Rector of Holy Trinity have relaxed
some of the historic boundaries between the two churches which will provide the
opportunity for the Cathedral to be more proactive in playing a part in the life of
the community that surrounds it. The focus of the Cathedral is currently on
encouraging public square debate and there are plans to develop this much
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appreciated part of the Cathedral’s ministry. However, the Cathedral should not be
only a place of conversation but also one of action and it is hoped that the next
Dean will lead the Cathedral in more intentional engagement in the town; more
involvement in the Town Centre Chaplaincy might provide one opportunity, or
developing links with the Diocesan Community Engagement team, or perhaps
developing the music outreach programme.
Key secular partners will be the Borough Council and the University, which shares
the Stag Hill site. In both cases, the outgoing Dean has opened doors and the next
Dean will have the opportunity to explore practical possibilities for partnership.
The Borough Council is eager to see the Cathedral making an impact in the local
community and will be interested to see how this might go forward. It is currently
producing a master plan for the town and will be a key stakeholder in the Stag Hill
development project (see below)
One of the Residentiary Canons is the Chaplain at the University and his ministry is
much valued. It is possible that there is more potential in the relationship at a
strategic level and also with regard to common projects and this might be something
for the Cathedral to explore as it develops its plans for the next few years.
There is a good relationship with the County Council which the new Dean will wish
to develop and build on.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE DIOCESE OF GUILDFORD
The Diocese of Guildford includes much of Surrey, parts of N.E. Hampshire, the
London Borough of Kingston and a small part of West Sussex. Information on its life
and ministry can be found at http://www.cofeguildford.org.uk. The outgoing Dean
had begun the process of connecting with the parishes, clergy and Diocese and
continuing this journey will be important. The Dean is a member of the Bishop’s
Staff team and Bishop’s Council, both of which are significant in the strategic life of
the diocese and in leading discussions as to how it needs to develop to live out its
mission imperative. The Cathedral is an important element in delivering this and its
agenda needs to be integrated with that of the Diocese as a whole. The Dean will be
expected to be a full and contributing member to both groups.
In addition, there is potential scope for the Dean to develop his/her ministry as a
reference point for clergy across the diocese. The outgoing Dean was an MDR
reviewer and available to provide counsel to clergy.
The Dean will be leading a Chapter which is currently looking at developing links
across the diocese and which has much energy for this area of the Cathedral’s
ministry. Much of this is done through the work of the Cathedral’s Education
department (and in collaboration with the Diocesan Schools, Colleges and
Universities team) to ensure the Cathedral is a place where transformative
discourse can take place. The diocese does have a mission strategy dating from 2009
(http://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/diocesan-life/diocesan-common-purpose/) and it is
hoped that the Cathedral will use this frame as it develops its future life and activity
in this area, although the frame itself may evolve with any new diocesan bishop.
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The Cathedral is an important venue for diocesan services and is a place which
draws different church traditions together in acknowledging and celebrating their
common life. Like many cathedrals it will need to bear in mind worship that
embraces all for diocesan events as part of its welcome and hospitality to parishes
from across the Anglican tradition. Sunday service patterns are currently under
review. There is a high level of commitment to a high standard of choral music.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE CATHEDRAL
The Chapter has provided some background material on the Cathedral, its life and
its ministry. This is set out as an appendix to this document. This provides
information on the organisation the Dean will oversee and also the many activities in
which it is involved.
FABRIC AND FINANCE
The fabric of the Cathedral is likely to be a, if not the, major preoccupation of the
next Dean for a number of years. There are currently proposals in place for a major
redevelopment of the site in addition to the fabric issues outlined in the Chapter’s
note. Given planning timescales it is likely that the project proposals will have been
submitted before the appointment of the next Dean. Resources will be allocated to
the appointment of a Project Director but the next Dean will carry a key
responsibility for the delivery of this project, to ensure that it is turned to mission
advantage and also to nurture the on-going life of the Cathedral in a very disruptive
period. In addition, a number of major fabric improvement works have been
identified. It is likely that fundraising for these will commence in early 2013 but the
new Dean will need to be the figurehead and advocate for the campaign.
The Cathedral has no historic resources and runs a deficit budget which is not
sustainable. The Annual Report and Accounts are set out at . The new Dean will
need to be able to lead in this challenging financial context and should the proposed
redevelopment not take place, be able to take the Cathedral through what will be a
period of difficult decision making over its future direction.
More information on the redevelopment project will be provided to shortlisted
applicants. At this stage candidates need to be aware that much of their time will be
devoted to this and their energy and ability to lead such a project will be a significant
factor in the deliberations of the selection panel. Given the significance of the
project, the Chair has invited one of those involved, to sit on the panel.
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SUMMARY – THE NEXT DEAN
As set out at the beginning of this note, circumstances have converged such that the
next Dean of Guildford will have a complex set of issues to hold together. The Dean
will need to lead Chapter as it takes these forward, to create connections and
partnerships and to hold and shape an overview for the life of this Cathedral over a
demanding few years.
The new Dean will be an outward looking confident individual who will find the
challenges outlined above energy releasing and who will bring to those challenges
and intuitive realism, competence and understanding. The talent to show
collaborative leadership of the many diverse but essential strands to be drawn
together over time will produce a rewarding ministry for the next Dean, the
Cathedral and Diocese alike.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in being considered as the next Dean of Guildford further
details can be found at:
http://www.churchofengland.org/clergy-officeholders/asa/senappt/vacancies.aspx
as well as on the Diocesan website
You will need to fill in the application form on the senior appointments website and
the Fostering Diversity form.
Please send in applications electronically, with the Fostering Diversity form, to
asaoffice@churchofengland.org clearly heading your email with “Dean of
GUILDFORD. You will receive an email acknowledging your application and if you
do not, it means that you will need to send it again as the form will not have been
received.
The closing date for applications is the 0900 on Monday 4th February 2013.
Applications received after this will not be accepted. Short listing will take place on
the 11th February and interviews will be held 5th and 6th March. It is possible that
some briefings for candidates will be held on the evening of the 4th.
Applicants from outside the UK will need to comply with the requirements of UK
immigration law.
Candidates who are invited for interview will be advised of arrangements to brief
them in more detail on aspects of the role.
A house will be available for the successful candidate. It is possible that should the
Stag Hill project go ahead the Deanery will move during the tenure of this Dean.
The stipend for this post is £32,470
If you have any questions about the process for application please contact Jemima
Jenner-Fust (0207 898 1777 – Jemima.jenner-fust@churchofengland.org).
The selection panel is aware that a lot of information has been provided to
candidates. The challenges of the role described at the beginning of this document
set out our perspective on the next stages in the journey for the Dean and Chapter
in the light of the various consultations undertaken to support this appointment.
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APPENDIX: GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL – LIFE AND MINISTRY
Building the Cathedral and establishing the Foundation (1927-67)
Unusually for an English cathedral, Guildford Cathedral was built, consecrated and
brought into use within the memory of a significant number of people who are still
alive; their attitudes to the Cathedral therefore reflect (sometimes) a sense of
proprietorship, and may be shaped by some of the controversies which
accompanied the completion of the building. The recently-retired Dean visited a
parish in the Diocese a few years ago and was accosted by an elderly man who told
him vehemently, ‘It should never have been built!’ (meaning the Cathedral). The
historical context is as a consequence relevant for anybody considering working at
Guildford today.
The Diocese of Guildford was created out of Winchester Diocese in 1927. Holy
Trinity Church, Guildford became the Pro-Cathedral and the Rector became the
first Provost, but it became clear that the church was not large enough, and after
considering various options it was resolved to build a new Cathedral. The decision
was not uncontested, and doubts about its wisdom resurfaced from time to time,
even after the building had been completed and brought into use.
Edward Maufe was appointed architect in 1932, following an architectural
competition which attracted 183 submissions; he survived to see the Cathedral
essentially complete (1967). The Earl of Onslow had given land on the top of Stag
Hill, to the north-west of the town, as a site for the new Cathedral. New housing
was going up around Madrid Road and The Chase, but the Cathedral was (and partly
remains) isolated on top of the Hill.
Archbishop Lang laid the foundation stone in 1936 and announced that the new
Cathedral was to be dedicated to the Holy Spirit. Work commenced, and
proceeded steadily until 1939, when the largely complete shell of the east end and
transepts was boarded up for the duration of the war. There is anecdotal evidence
that this state of affairs reinforced the earlier misgivings of a minority in the Diocese,
and some, at least, came to believe the work would never be resumed.
Confidence, however, was rekindled with the end of the war, and in 1946, ‘The
Conventional District of the New Cathedral, Guildford’ was established. A
congregation began to meet in the (completed) Crypt, led over the next fifteen
years by a series of priests-in-charge; by 1961 there was an electoral roll of 179, and
a flourishing Sunday School and branch of the Mothers’ Union.
Around 1950, a Cathedral Council was set up by Bishop Montgomery-Campbell to
complete the building. Archbishop Fisher gave his strong encouragement, the Mayor
of Guildford backed the campaign, and a huge pilgrimage of 15000 people from the
Diocese attended the laying of the Nave’s foundation stone by Princess Margaret in
1955. Appeals were made to a wide constituency, and both the public profile of the
new Cathedral and the fund-raising benefited enormously from the ‘buy a brick’
campaign – an initiative through which many people still feel a personal connection
with the Cathedral. On 17 May 1961 Bishop Reindorp consecrated the building at a
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service attended by HM The Queen and broadcast live on BBC Television. Work on
the remainder of the structure (Lady Chapel, Chapter House and Tower) was
completed over the next few years.
The inauguration of the new Cathedral was not unattended by controversy. First, it
was decided not to pursue the original intention of establishing a ‘parish church’
Cathedral. From his experience of running the Pro-Cathedral and the Parish of Holy
Trinity in harness, Provost Boulton formed the view that parochial responsibilities
would inhibit the growing life of the new foundation; he had a vision of the
Cathedral as ‘a centre for education, healing, psychiatry and industrial relations as
well as a focus for diocesan life and ordered worship’, and he persuaded the Diocese
to support this view. As a result, the congregation that had been meeting in the
Crypt since 1946 was dispersed in 1961, and although some joined the new
Cathedral congregation, many families returned to neighbouring parish churches.
Secondly, great offence was caused in Guildford when Boulton – who had been
instrumental in raising much of the funding and had driven the project forward – was
not appointed Dean. The ensuing (and very public) row led to the appointment of a
commission under Lord Howick to consider the whole question of Crown
appointments and how the Church might be given a greater voice in them.
Initially, the Cathedral was staffed by a Dean, two residentiary canons, and a
Precentor (minor canon). The Chapter consisted of the Dean, residentiaries, and
eighteen honorary canons, but the day-to-day running of the Cathedral was in the
hands of an Administrative Committee. (Provision was made for the appointment of
Lay Canons but was never implemented.) In addition to the morning and evening
offices, there was a daily eucharist, and the Sunday services included both Choral
Eucharist and Mattins – the latter better-attended, in those days. One of the most
notable achievements of the early years was the creation of the Cathedral Choir.
From the start (May 1961), Evensong was sung daily, and within a few years the
Choir was undertaking broadcasts and award-winning recordings.
During these years the Cathedral also took its place as the Mother Church of the
Diocese. The first ordinations were held within a few weeks of the consecration,
and a regular round of diocesan services and events commenced, including the
Guildford Lectures each autumn, the Youth Pilgrimage on Easter Monday, and
regular Confirmations and choirs festivals. New possibilities opened up, too, with
the creation of the University of Surrey (formerly Battersea Polytechnic) on the
northern slope of Stag Hill; this did something to counter the isolation of the
Cathedral, and services for students were held in the Chapter House in its early
days. Finally, the wider community was welcomed to the Cathedral for other types
of events: local choral societies and orchestras for concerts, schools for Christmas
carol services, county and civic authorities for annual services and commemorations:
patterns familiar to older foundations, but a remarkable achievement for Guildford
when one looks back to the tentative beginnings of the project for a new Cathedral
in the 1930s.
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The current clergy team
The Dean
Vacant
The Sub Dean & Precentor
Thistlethwaite (1999)
The Revd Canon Dr Nicholas
The Precentor is responsible for the music and liturgy of the Cathedral. He is a
member of the Guildford Diocesan Advisory Committee, the Guildford
International Musical Festival Committee, the Westminster Abbey Fabric Advisory
Commission, the Canterbury Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee, and the Organs
Conservation Committee of the Church Building Council. He writes on the history
of choral foundations, liturgy and church music.
Residentiary Canon
The Venerable Stuart Beake (2010)
He is Archdeacon of Surrey and a non-stipendiary Residentiary Canon. As a member
of the Bishop’s senior staff, with extensive pastoral responsibilities in his
Archdeaconry, he is a valuable link between the Cathedral and the wider Church
community of Surrey and North-East Hampshire.
Residentiary Canon and Anglican Chaplain to the University of Surrey
The Revd Canon Andrew Bishop (2011)
He is involved in the pastoral care of students and staff at the University, in playing
an active part in the building and promoting of faith and between faiths, and fostering
good relationships in the wider life of the University community. He is a Benedictine
Oblate of Alton Abbey, a member of the Alcuin Club and the Society for Liturgical
Studies, and is pursuing doctoral studies at King’s College, London.
Residentiary Canon
The Revd Canon Dr Julie Gittoes (2012)
She is involved in the work of supporting volunteers (e.g. Guides and Chaplains) and
pastoral care. Her primary focus is on developing the work of education at the
Cathedral – within the congregation, in support of the Diocese and in partnership
with the University. She chairs the “Church, Ministry and Theology” seminar at the
Society for the Study of Theology and is a member of the American Academy of
Religion. She is also a tutor for the South East Institute for Theological Education
and continues to write on sacramental theology and ecclesiology.
Priest Vicar
The Revd Nancy Ford (2007)
As a non-stipendiary priest, she is responsible for leading and assisting with
Cathedral worship; she advises on Human Resources issues and Child Protection.
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Worship and mission today
The Preamble to the current Constitution (2002) defines the Cathedral as ‘the seat
of the Bishop of Guildford, the Mother Church of the Diocese and a centre of
worship and mission’.
The rhythm of the Cathedral’s life is provided by the daily offices, led by clergy and
choir, with weekday Morning Prayer currently at 7.30 am (8.40 on Saturdays), and
Evensong said or sung at 5.30 pm (5 pm on Saturdays). Common Worship: Daily Prayer
is used in the mornings, and The Book of Common Prayer in the evenings. There is a
daily Eucharist at 8 am (9 am on Saturdays).
On Sundays, the present pattern is: 8 am Holy Communion (BCP), 9.45 am The
Cathedral Eucharist, 11.30 am Choral Mattins (BCP), and 6.30 pm Choral Evensong
(BCP). Order One (Common Worship) is the norm for the Cathedral Eucharist,
although a BCP Eucharist is celebrated at the High Altar on the First Sunday of the
month (the ‘nave’ altar at the top of the quire steps is used on all other occasions).
Sermons are preached at all Sunday services apart from the 8 am Communion.
Typical communicant numbers are: 10-15 (8 am) and 160-190 (9.45 am);
congregational attendance at Choral Mattins is 25-35, and 35-45 at Choral Evensong.
Coffee is available in the Cathedral Refectory after the Cathedral Eucharist, except
on the Second Sunday of the month, when it is offered more informally in the nave,
and there is no Choral Mattins.
The liturgical seasons and festivals are observed within the framework offered by
Common Worship and The Revised Common Lectionary. Full programmes of services
are held at Christmas (two Cathedral carol services, children’s service on Christmas
Eve, Midnight Eucharist, and Cathedral Eucharist on Christmas morning), and during
Holy Week and Easter (the CW liturgies for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good
Friday and Easter, and the usual services on Easter Day). There are also special
services for Epiphany, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, All
Souls and Advent, again largely using material drawn from Common Worship: Times
and Seasons.
The Precentor has responsibility for music and liturgy. In preparing and executing
liturgy he or she works with (amongst others) the Organist and Master of the
Choristers, the Head Server, and the Dean’s Virger:
The Organist and Master of the Choristers is Katherine DienesWilliams. She is assisted by a Sub Organist (Paul Provost) and Organ
Scholar. The Cathedral Choir consists of six professional Lay Clerks,
and teams of boy choristers (16/20) and girl choristers (18/22). The
boys attend Lanesborough School (referred to as the Cathedral Choir
School, though Chapter has no voice in its governance); boys receive
scholarships as a contribution to school fees, and bursaries are
available for those whose family circumstances would prevent them
attending a fee-paying school. The girl choristers attend a variety of
schools, maintained and independent; they receive annual scholarships,
notionally towards the cost of music lessons. The boys sing on
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and either Sunday morning or evening
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(occasionally both); the girls sing on Fridays, and either Sunday morning
or evening; both groups increasingly take part in the principal festival
services (e.g. the Christmas carol services). The men sing additionally
on Mondays. From time to time, the Choir undertakes recordings,
broadcasts, concerts and tours. There is also a voluntary adult choir,
The Guildford Cathedral Singers, whose main duty is to sing on around
10 Sunday mornings in the year when the Cathedral Choir is on
vacation.
The Head Server is Chris Nott. He recruits and manages a team of
some 25 servers which includes both older and younger members,
male and female. They bring a high degree of professionalism to their
role, and the Head Server maintains a detailed record of the
ceremonial at individual services for future reference. Over the years
they have played a major part in developing and adapting the liturgy as
new material has been issued.
The Dean’s Virger is Paul Williamson. Currently, there is a team of 3
full-time virgers, and 1 part-time virger, joined on Sundays and other
special occasions by 3 volunteers. In the liturgical context, they are
responsible for preparing the Cathedral for services, for ceremonial
duties, and for operating the sound system. They care for the
vestments and linens, serve at the daily eucharist, and communicate
with stewards and servers about their respective roles.
In the course of the year, the Cathedral hosts a regular series of Diocesan and
Episcopal services, as well as individual services for particular events or
anniversaries, and to welcome or say farewell to bishops, archdeacons, and so on.
Among the regular services are ordinations, confirmations, authorisations of lay
ministers, school-leaver services, and the Maundy Thursday Eucharist, Re-affirmation
of Ministry and Blessing of Oils.
There are also special occasions for voluntary organisations, educational bodies, and
commemorations, including around 20 carol services/concerts each December. A
cathedral is properly a place for county services to mark national thanksgivings, royal
anniversaries, and the installation of new officers (e.g. The High Sheriff), and
Guildford Cathedral is widely used in all these ways.
The occasional offices (mainly funerals) are usually handled by the Cathedral clergy
who observe the traditional pattern of residence. The custom has been for the two
Commissioners Canons to undertake 4 months each in the year, and for the Dean
and University Chaplain to do 2 months each. The Precentor officiates at sung
services, but the officiant at said services is the canon-in-residence, who nominates
readers and leads prayers; he or she is also responsible for giving a welcome at
concerts, special services and other events that fall within the month, though the
duty can be delegated to others.
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Worship sustains, informs and inspires the Cathedral’s mission, and its service to the
Diocese and wider community. That outward-facing mission is supported, advanced
and enabled in various ways.
Cathedral Stewards act as welcomers and are responsible for the
practical arrangements for services in relation to congregations at
services and audiences at concerts and other events.
Cathedral Guides are in attendance most days between 10 am and 4
pm to welcome visitors, and inform them about the building and its
purpose.
Cathedral Chaplains attend most days to read prayers at regular
intervals and provide pastoral care for visitors who seek it out.
The Cathedral Refectory (the franchise is let to an outside caterer)
provides hospitality and refreshment for visitors.
The Cathedral Shop stocks gifts, books, cards, souvenirs and
ecclesiastical supplies.
An important aspect of the Cathedral’s mission is in the field of education. All the
clergy are involved in this to some extent, but the work is led by Canon Julie
Gittoes. There are currently three strands to the Cathedral’s educational work:
congregational programmes, diocesan-focused lectures and public engagement with
faith. At each level, the aim is to deepen understanding and facilitate dialogue, whilst
contributing to flourishing relationships.
Cathedral Education: the Schools Department offers a developing
programme for Key Stage One and Two, including visits, workshops and
Advent/Easter trails; in addition plans are in place to engage with Years 11-13
(e.g. Big Questions debate). Sunday School has been revised and now uses
the Roots material. Likewise, work with young people (Bunch of Believers,
BOB) is under review. There is an annual series of Lent lectures,
opportunities to participate in study groups and confirmation classes. In the
light of the appointment of a Canon with responsibility for Education rather
than a Canon Pastor, re-imaging pastoral care is an aspect of the Cathedral’s
work on discipleship/education (in Lent 2013 the focus will be on what it
means to be the Body of Christ).
Diocesan Education: the Cathedral’s teaching ministry supports the work of
clergy and parishes across the Diocese. Paula Gooder is the Cathedral’s
Canon Theologian; her annual lecture is a popular event (in 2013 the theme
will be ‘Living the New Creation’). There are plans to develop this work and
to collaborate more with the Diocese (for example in the planning and
delivery of the Summer School). The Cathedral houses the Diocesan Library,
which is being up-dated in terms of an accessible cataloguing system.
Alongside theological engagement, the Cathedral is also working with
Deaneries on re-imaging pilgrimage.
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Public Education: the Cathedral shares the Stag Hill site with Surrey
University as well as the Diocesan Education Centre. Therefore, there are
opportunities to engage with faith in relation to public life. There have been
successful public lectures, and work has begun on developing a sustainable
programme of such dialogues. In conjunction with the work of the University
Chaplaincy, this also includes multi-faith work; and given the proximity of
institutions such as the Royal Surrey Hospital, there is also scope for
engagement with issues emerging from the public sector/social responsibility,
science and ethics.
The Cathedral’s vision for Education is to offer opportunities for Christian learning
and to cultivate understanding in the public sphere. It seeks to pursue wisdom in
collaboration with others.
The Music Department has run outreach projects with local schools, including the
Government-funded SingUp! scheme (2008-10), a musical celebration to mark the
Cathedral’s Golden Jubilee and the 200th anniversary of the National Society for
Education (2011), and a ‘one off’ event when HM The Queen visited the Cathedral
in November 2011.
Surrey Get Vocal is a new initiative, launched in the autumn of 2012, in
partnership with Lanesborough School, and supported by funding from
the Diocese and the Derek Butler trust. A 5-year programme is
envisaged, with Cathedral choristers and voice coaches working with 3
local schools each term to introduce children to the joys of singing and
prepare material for an end-of-term concert in the Cathedral with all
three schools. Chapter has released the Master of the Choristers to
lead this project in collaboration with the school’s Director of Music.
The Events Department was established in 2010 with the twin aims of bringing a
broader cross-section of the community into the Cathedral, whilst generating
additional income. The building and its site are wonderful resources which have
never been fully exploited for the benefit of those who are not (yet) part of the
worshipping community. One of the challenges for the Cathedral remains its isolated
location on top of Stag Hill, and the provision of events is one way of addressing
that.
The Events Team has attracted a variety of events to the Hill since its
establishment in 2010. Some formed part of the Cathedral’s Golden
Jubilee programme in 2011: public lectures on ‘Faith in the Public
Arena’, a Golden Jubilee Ball, Summer Fair, Youth Rave in the Nave,
and Messy Cathedral; other events, however, represented a
combination of outreach beyond the Cathedral’s usual constituency
and commercial enterprise: a Winter Fair, Nave dinners and a
breakfast, Wild Life Rocks event (with Brian May), the première of an
opera, product launches, outdoor theatre, a business ‘fun day’, and so
on. By becoming increasingly professional, and thinking ‘outside the
box’, we hope to build on the success of these events in the future.
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Alongside these new initiatives, the Cathedral works to main existing relationships
with other non-Church bodies such as Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County
Council, and the University of Surrey.
The University of Surrey shares Stag Hill with the Cathedral. It is a
research-intensive member of the 1994 group of universities, with
9000 undergraduates and 5000 postgraduates; around 110 nationalities
are represented, as well as locally based non-academic staff. The
Chaplaincy comprises two full time chaplains – Anglican and Roman
Catholic – and part-time chaplains: Methodist, Greek Orthodox,
Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Buddhist; a Hindu Chaplain is being recruited.
The University supports the building of a Multi-Faith Centre; current
financial realities in Higher Education make that aspiration a huge
undertaking; the Cathedral has been supportive of this vision and the
previous Canon/Chaplain was very closely involved in its inception.
University degree ceremonies take place in the Cathedral, which both
benefits the Cathedral financially and more significantly seals the ongoing relationship between the two institutions. A member of Chapter
(most often the Canon/Chaplain) gives a welcome at the beginning of
each ceremony. The relationship between Cathedral and University is a
healthy one with further scope for development; this would be
welcomed by the University.
Whilst striving to reach out to the wider community, the Cathedral has its
responsibilities as the Mother Church of the Diocese of Guildford. The clergy
participate in various ways in supporting the ministry of the Bishop, and all serve on
one or more diocesan committees. The parishes of the Diocese are remembered in
prayer twice daily, and some arrange visits or pilgrimages to the Cathedral. For
some years a Parish Links scheme has been in place; inevitably, this is more
successful in some parishes than others, but the aim is to have a person to act as a
channel of information about the Cathedral, especially to alert parishioners to
special events and services that do not duplicate what takes place in their local
churches.
Finally, the pastoral care of those who worship regularly at the Cathedral remains an
important responsibility for the clergy. In this, they are helped by a trained team of
Pastoral Assistants, who share with them in visiting the sick in their homes and
taking the Sacrament to those who wish it. A recent survey of the congregation
revealed that for around 70% of those who worship with us on a Sunday, the
Cathedral is their regular place of worship; this has implications for their continuing
pastoral care, especially if they become housebound. Pastoral care is shared among
the clergy and is a significant (and proper) charge on their time.
Governance
The Cathedral is governed under the Cathedrals Measure 1999. The current
Constitution and Statutes came into effect on 24 November 2002, and was amended
on 19 October 2011. Under its provisions, the governance of the Cathedral is in the
hands of the Chapter (charged ‘to direct and oversee the administration of the
affairs of the Cathedral’), and a Council, with responsibility ‘to further and support
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the work of the Cathedral, spiritual, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical’.
There is also a College of Canons consisting of up to fifteen honorary and fourteen
lay canons, and various committees, including the Finance and Community
committees.
The Dean chairs Chapter. In addition to the four Residentiary canons, membership
of Chapter currently includes
Timothy Asson (elected by the Cathedral Community): works in the commercial
sector, specialising in providing property advice to corporate occupiers throughout
Europe; member of the congregation.
The Revd Nancy Ford (nominated by Chapter): formerly employed in the Civil
Service, with experience in HR issues.
Shirley-Margaret Lloyd (elected by the Cathedral Community): a long-standing
member of the congregation with experience in business and local politics.
Julian Roberts (nominated by the Bishop of Guildford): CEO of an international
financial services group; member of the congregation.
The Director of Operations (Tina Grear) attends Chapter, as, on occasion, do other
members of the lay staff, and the Dean’s Secretary (Cathy Mansell) acts as Minutes
Secretary.
Chapter meets monthly, usually on Tuesday mornings, and occasionally has an ‘away
day’.
The Cathedral Council is chaired by Lady (Elizabeth) Toulson. Its membership
includes the Dean, two other members of Chapter, two members of the College of
Canons, two elected members of the Cathedral congregation, one elected
representative of the Cathedral lay staff, two persons appointed by the Bishop’s
Council and Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod, one person appointed by
the Bishop, three persons appointed by the Bishop after consultation with
(respectively) the Mayor of Guildford, the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey and Chairman
of Surrey County Council, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Surrey, and
one person appointed by the Friends of Guildford Cathedral. The Council meets
two or three times each year.
The College of Canons meets twice each year, one of the meeting customarily
taking place around the anniversary of the consecration on 17 May; this is followed
by the College Dinner.
The Constitution and Statutes require Chapter to appoint a Finance Committee,
‘with the function of advising the Chapter in connection with its responsibilities in
the field of financial and investment management and the management of property
belonging to the Cathedral’. There is also to be a Cathedral Community Committee,
consisting of the Dean and 8 elected members from the Community Roll. It meets at
least twice each year, and is to act ‘as a channel of communication between the
Chapter and the Cathedral Community’.
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Lay Staff
The lay staff support and facilitate the Cathedral’s worship and mission, under the
leadership of the Dean and direction of Chapter.
Director of Operations
Deputy Director of Operations
Fabric Support Officer
Tina Grear
Jim Blake (temporary post)
Philippa Aldous
Dean’s Personal Assistant
Cathy Mansell
Organist and Master of Choristers
Sub Organist
Organ Scholar
Music Department Secretary
Katherine Dienes-Williams
Paul Provost
Graham Thorp
Penny Peters
Dean’s Virger
Canons’ Virger
Virger
Virger
Paul Williamson
Stephen Reeds
Andrew Hudsmith
Fiona Seaton
Finance Manager
Financial Controller
Accounts Assistant
[appointment pending]
Mandy Blackmore
Snjezana Lintott
Schools Officer
Assistant Schools Officer
Beth Henze
Charlotte Newton
Events Director
Events Coordinator
Administration Assistant
Caroline Simcox
Caroline Tinsley
Katrina Jenkins
External Relations Director
Trusts Officer
Siân Newton
Gemma Graves
Receptionist
Gill Thorpe
Shop Manager
Assistant Shop Manager
Shona McConnell
Janice Cruse
Buildings and site
Responsibility for the Cathedral building, ancillary buildings and the Close housing
rests with Chapter. Chapter is advised by the Cathedral Architect, John Bailey.
Repairs, modifications and additions to the Cathedral and its fittings have to be
approved in accordance with the Care of Cathedrals Measure 1990 by the Fabric
Advisory Committee and/or The Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, as
appropriate.
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It was established by the last quinquennial survey (2010) that the Cathedral building
is going to require expenditure in excess of £15m over the next twenty-five years;
portions of the building are now more than 70 years old, and its exposed position
on top of Stag Hill inevitably leads to deterioration. The copper roofs, for example,
are now approaching the point at which extensive replacement will be necessary,
and there is an on-going problem with pointing of the brickwork and keeping the
windows water-tight.
More serious is the state of the plaster on the internal vaults throughout the
Cathedral. During the summer of 2012 work was undertaken on a small area of the
quire vault from which plaster had fallen earlier in the year; a close inspection
revealed that the plaster generally is in poor condition and becoming detached from
the concrete vault beneath. This represents a significant health and safety risk, and
the advice from the Cathedral Architect is that a programme of work to remove the
plaster from the vaults throughout the Cathedral in the near future is unavoidable.
It will then be necessary to re-plaster, re-decorate and re-light the building, while
the scaffolding is in place.
Alongside this, other necessary works must be undertaken, among them the
replacement of the sound system and (at least) a major renovation of the organ.
Chapter will have to consider over the coming months whether a public appeal for
funds should include other ‘desirable’ objects such as a re-ordering of the crossing
area to better accommodate the nave altar (a possibility that has been under
discussion for some time) and provide seating for the choir there. All in all, it will
necessitate a substantial appeal for perhaps £3-5m. This is likely to be underway by
the time the new Dean is installed, and he or she will then need to assume
leadership of the campaign, supported by the Cathedral’s External Relations
Department, and possibly also by an outside consultant.
Finance
The most recent set of accounts accompanies this document and provides a detailed
record of the situation at the end of 2011.
By the time the Cathedral was completed in the 1960s, exhaustion had set in and
there was little scope for further fund-raising to provide an endowment. Financial
resources were extremely limited in the early days of the Cathedral; anecdotal
evidence reports that Dean Clarkson worried at times about how the tiny and
poorly-paid Cathedral staff was to be paid from month to month. The sale of land to
the University provided some relief, and, later, occasional legacies helped to save the
situation, but the Cathedral finances remained precarious. Although the position
today is less immediately threatening, the Cathedral continues to run an annual
deficit on its operating account (the deficit is projected to be around £100,000 in
2012).
Chapter receives occasional assistance from The Friends of Guildford Cathedral
(principally for the completion and adornment of the building), and in 2001 to mark
the 40th anniversary of the consecration The Guildford Cathedral Music
Development Foundation was established; it now has capital of the order of
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£700,000 and makes grants to Chapter for chorister scholarships and other music
costs. Welcome though this assistance is, it does little to diminish the underlying
deficit, and it is not practical to look to a fairly elderly congregation to eliminate it
through a radical increase in pledged giving.
In recent years, Chapter has therefore taken a number of steps to provide a
permanent solution to the problem. At the end of 2010, the Events Department was
created, in part with a view to generating income by increasing the number of
lettings for both the Cathedral building and the site. Then in 2012, an External
Relations Department was established; the major part of its remit is to fund-raise for
the Cathedral.
However, Chapter’s principal strategy for securing the Cathedral’s financial future
has been to explore the possibility of a sensitive development of the site which
would both connect the Cathedral to the surrounding community more effectively,
and provide a substantial sum for an endowment. Discussions about the feasibility of
this are continuing; it is likely that the new Dean will need to devote a significant
amount of time to the project during his or her early years in post.
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