Six new honorary Canons havebeen appointed at Worcester Cathedral in recognition of their work in both theDiocese and the wider Church.Appointments are made by the
The Honorary Canons installedin a service in the cathedral on 30 January were:
- WynBeynon, Priest in Charge of the Wychebook parishes and Rural Dean of Droitwich
- DougChaplin, Mission Development Officer and Director of Reader Training for theDiocese of Worcester
- HazelCharlton, Vicar of St Peters Church, Lapal in Halesowen and Dean of WomensMinistry
- ClareGriffiths, Chaplain to St Richards Hospice
- DavidHoskin, Rector of the Brierley Hill Team and Rural Dean of Kingswinford
- AbbotThomas OSB from Mucknell Abbey
BishopJohn commented: It is a great delight to be able to appoint these peoplewho have given and continue to give outstanding service to the church in our diocese. They will be great ambassadors for the cathedral in thediocese and vice versa.
TheRevd Wyn Beynon said: I first visited the Worcester Cathedral over 40 yearsago when, on behalf of USPG, I delivered an exhibition of Indian paintings ofChrist to be put on show. They had been on quite a journey and, in theintervening years, so have I! In the last few years I have been made to feelvery much at home in the Diocese and Cathedral and so its a huge honour to belicensed as a Canon. The Cathedral, as the mother church of the Diocese, is awonderful resource supporting the parishes in their local ministry and I hopein some small way that I can be a link back to show support to the Cathedral'sministry.
TheRevd Doug Chaplin said: It was a real surprise to find Bishop Johnsinvitation on the mat when I returned from a period of study leave. This yearwill mark the 15th year since I took on the voluntary role of Director ofReader Training. I dont know for sure what was in the Bishops mind when hedecided to offer me this honour, but I see it an affirmation of that work, andthe importance of supporting and equipping our lay ministers.
TheRevd Hazel Charlton said: When I received the letter from Bishop John invitingme to become an Honorary Canon, it was a complete shock.It took a while for the content to sink inbut I am humbled to be asked.In parishministry you get on with day to day duties with those in your community, in mydiocesan role I hopefully serve many more and now to have this connection withthe Cathedral, it will be a pleasure to understand more of the people andvisitors in this magnificent place.Myexperience is wide and varied and to be recognised for this is indeed an honoureven though completely unexpected. Thank you.
The Revd Clare Griffiths said:It was a great honour and an immense surprise to receive an invitation letterfrom Bishop John. In fact, I checked it many times to ensure that it actuallyhad my name on it! This is not just a personal recognition, but one for StRichards Hospice where I work as Lead Chaplain and for all clergy who arelicensed to serve in chaplaincy positions, rather than in the more easilyunderstood parochial roles. I look forward to creating further links with theCathedral.
TheRevd David Hoskin said: Imdelighted to have been appointed an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral.After a curacy in Exeter Diocese I took up my first post in KingswinfordDeanery in 1998 and have stayed in the Deanery in various roles ever since, nowserving as Rector of the Brierley Hill Team and Rural Dean. Through that time,I have much appreciated coming to worship in the Cathedral, particularly for theChrism Eucharist with its invitation to renew those promises made first atordination. A small charity administered by Christ Church, Quarry Bank hassupported occasional educational trips to the Cathedral from schools within theparish, perhaps Id better join the next one and learn more about themagnificent history of the place.
Abbot Thomas said: The Community at Mucknell Abbey enjoys a warmrelationship with the Cathedral, both in relation to Worcesters past centuriesas a Benedictine cathedral priory and in the links of friendship and mutualassistance today. I am honoured and delighted to become an Honorary Canon andlook forward to supporting the life and ministry of the cathedral community,through prayer and the contribution of a monastic perspective.
Honorary Canons are distinctfrom Residentiary Canons who are on the staff of the Cathedral.
See more photos from the installation service.
ENDS
The Diocese of Worcester is one of 42 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.
From: Sam Setchell, Press Officer for the Diocese of Worcester and the Bishop of Worcester.
Tel: 01905 20537 Mobile: 07852 302516
Email: ssetchell@cofe-worcester.org.uk
