Stephen Edwards was officially Installed as Dean at the Cathedral on Sunday 15 September.
Stephen was appointed by HM The King in June, and had been Interim Dean since the retirement of Peter Atkinson last September. Stephen now takes his place as the 47th Dean of Worcester.
Stephen joined Worcester Cathedral as a Residentiary Canon in September 2019 and has had particular responsibility for promoting the Cathedral’s mission in the Diocese and local community, as well as the pastoral care and spiritual nurture of the Cathedral community. As Interim Dean, he has led the Cathedral through the vacancy and as Dean he will continue to play a key role in both the Cathedral and the Diocese.
Stephen said: “Over the past few months I have been asked by many people, why do you want to be a dean? It is a good question.
“What I have discovered and enjoyed so much over the past five years here in Worcester is that it is possible to be vicar-like, a pastor, in a cathedral and that the diversity of event and experience in this place has allowed me, especially in the breadth of my previous role, to be a priest in much the same way as in a parish: pastoral care, worship, community, friendship, and discipleship.
“As dean the pastoral care of the cathedral community is a paramount priority, one which can be easily lost in the breadth of responsibilities and competing demands.
“Wanting to be a vicar from an early age, I have always loved church buildings and cathedrals especially. Cathedrals often have the advantage of having many chapels and spaces, paths to encourage meandering and exploration, guides and signs and memorials and artefacts which throw as many questions in the air as they do provide answers. To visit a cathedral is to visit an architectural gem which holds safe the hopes and dreams, sorrows, cries, and love of unnumbered generations.
“In the past year this cathedral, like many others, has been host to a wide selection of concerts and events. Abba by candlelight and a variety of pop, rock, and dance concerts have taken their place alongside the Three Choirs, the Worcester Festival Choral Society, and an excellent programme of classical and church music. What should and should not take place in a consecrated space, and what ought and ought not to be a driving force in decision making has been rigorously questioned and challenged. In doing so, this whole area has, I believe, been beautifully opened up so that we fill these glorious spaces with people experiencing something different.
“Exploring the intersection of contemporary values with traditional spaces is nothing new for the church; proclaiming the gospel afresh in every generation requires ingenuity and an ability to see potential in new adventures. And yes in a worrying financial climate, money matters but opening up the cathedral is part of our evangelism and that means opening up to new things: concerts and silent discos, light shows and, of course, as we did last year, dogs.
“As often as I have been asked, why do you want to be a dean? so I have been asked what is my vision for Worcester Cathedral? Those of us who are part of the cathedral community know that we have a vision statement which we are already well on the way with; a vision which, with perfect timing, is due to be reviewed and revised in 2025. So, I do not wish, nor would it be wise, to change that vision but together I look forward to renewing this alongside the diocesan vision for transformation and change.
"To quote the Association of English Cathedrals, upon my appointment “Architecture, ale and a love of dogs! He's our kind of Dean.” As a short description of my character, it says enough if not all.
“If I must be drawn on my vision for the Cathedral during the time of my decanal years, I want not to be specific but to pray that they will be shaped by the character of architecture, ale, and a love of dogs.
“I long for others to experience the thrill and the awe, the safety as well as the gentle provocation which this tent of faith holds so dearly for the city and region. Our learning team have an aim of every child in the county visiting the Cathedral during their school career, and I would hope to extend that goal to every person in this city (and even beyond) stepping foot inside this holy place.
“The image of hospitality, a conversation over a good ale, friendship, relational openness is one which speaks of the love of Jesus Christ. The rich variety of uses of this building often compete for attention and time but we are first and foremost and always a church – a place of prayer and worship. Just as this shapes our mission and ministry, so it must also shape our learning, our events, concerts, exhibitions, staff teams, volunteers – all that we do comes from our love for Jesus Christ and a desire to see his Kingdom grow.
“And finally, a love of dogs: I shouldn’t need to unpack this one as I am sure even the extreme cat lovers understand the perfection of dogs and their love and joy, but there is a gospel reading throwaway line I always feel needs to be challenged: Do not give what is holy to dogs. What if we do give what is holy to dogs? They enjoy whatever it is by simply being themselves. Holiness is not a fragile glass or an untouchable artefact in a museum. It is a strong and strengthening presence of the divine, it is – like God from whom all things holy come – all powerful, almighty, and ours for our use. Let us dare, let us dream to dare, let us radically offer welcome and love to all, blurring the artificial line between sacred and secular. Let our ministry, our vision, our life be directed by the words of Christ: ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.’
“Thanks be to God.”
Stephen was ordained in 1996, serving first in the Church in Wales and then in the Diocese of Manchester, where he was Rector of the inner-city parish of St Agnes’, Longsight and then Team Rector of Wythenshawe. Stephen was also the Bishop of Manchester’s adviser for liturgy and worship as well as the co-ordinator of the Manchester Estate Ministry Network. As a Residentiary Canon of Worcester Cathedral, Stephen has also been involved in the Cathedral and diocesan Eco groups and the diocesan Racial Justice Forum. He is the independent chair of the Worcester Cares forum for homelessness and vulnerable people.
