Dean of Worcesters, Stephen Edwards has written this article for July editons of parish magazines:
I was asked recently a simple question, ‘what do you do as Dean?’ It is deceptively simple but the answer – which admittedly I struggled to give in a simple and concise way – ended up being a rather rambling list of activities, appointments and encounters from the past few days. In one sense it was quite ordinary; in another it was fascinating in its diversity and breadth. The person who’d asked the question was quite taken aback by the variety and then wondered if I like the variability. I do. The cliché that there is never a dull day really describes life in the Cathedral, and I would also say that my experience in parishes has been exactly the same. Of course the variety and breadth of ministry is sustained by stability; at the Cathedral the rhythm of daily worship provides a foundation from which other things find their strength. Without it I would struggle to know who I am.
Our Christian calling is, ultimately, to be ourselves – alive, fully true to ourselves knowing that God calls us for who we are and delights in us. This assured love and wholeness from God enables us to fulfil his purposes and respond to this call on our lives. That call, our vocation, manifests itself in numerous ways, often developing as we journey through life and we encounter the Holy Spirit’s call to offer our gifts in new ways.
We have just celebrated the call of those ordained as deacons and priests in the Cathedral, and across the Diocese we celebrate ministries, lay and ordained, new and old, traditional and pioneering – each releasing God-given gifts in the service of the Kingdom.
This month we focus our thanks on those, paid and voluntary, who work with children, young people and families. We #RECOGNISE their gifts of time and skill, their care and learning, their faith and commitment. As we grow as Kingdom People, we must ensure children and young people are given all they need to flourish as disciples of Christ and become active members of the church in this Diocese. Please join in celebrating and giving thanks for the ministry of those working with children, young people and families, as together we #RECOGNISE the Holy Spirit’s call to each one of us to be ministers of the gospel in a church which gives us a foretaste of the Kingdom.
