As we begin our Lenten pilgrimage, looking forward with hope to Holy Week and Easter, I am delighted to share with you signs of new life developing at the Cathedral. We have appointed four new members of Chapter, we have appointed project managers who are beginning the process of developing options for the long-term future of our property, and we have developed a vision and strategy to move us forward over the next year. The vision and strategy owes a great deal to work that was developed by Chapter, staff and volunteers last year. There will be an opportunity to explore, discuss and develop this vision when we meet for the Annual Meeting, following the Cathedral Eucharist on Sunday 4th May.
New Chapter Members
We are delighted to welcome four new members to the Cathedral Chapter, the governing body of Southwell Cathedral. These non-executive members were recruited following a wide recruitment initiative to which we attracted over 20 excellent candidates. The four people appointed bring a really useful variety of skills, depth of experience and clear love for our Minster. We are very excited by these new appointments:
Marion Oswald is a highly experienced lawyer who is currently Professor of Law at Northumbria University.
David Walker is Financial Director and Board member of a medium sized company; he also has significant experience in the care sector.
Ann Carter-Gray is a chartered surveyor and former senior civil servant in the Cabinet Office, with a great deal of experience in property management.
Jonathan Wheeler brings wide experience in property, people and institutional management, as well as extensive experience in non-executive roles.
Full biographies and further details can be found here.
After Easter we will begin the process for an election of two congregation representatives to Chapter, as Jan Richardson’s and Andy Corner’s terms come to an end.
Property Portfolio
With a generous grant from the Church Commissioners, we have been able to appoint a firm of project managers to undertake a full assessment of the Minster properties. They will be guided by a project board who will report to Chapter. The aim will be to bring an options appraisal to Chapter for the long-term sustainability of all the Minster’s property.
Developing a Vision
Southwell Minster: Where Heaven and Nature Sing
Our Purpose
Southwell Minster Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham and the seat of the Bishop, serving the people, communities and churches of Nottinghamshire. For over a millennium it has been a centre of Christian worship, a resource to Church and community throughout its locality, and a parish church for the people of Southwell.
Uniquely within the Church of England the Cathedral is nestled within a distinctive rural setting of a small market town. It brings together the sanctuary and inspiration of its setting in the heart of Nottinghamshire countryside, the deep-set pattern of daily worship and prayer, a building of intense beauty, with a world class music and choral tradition. Truly a place where heaven and nature sing!
Guided by our faith, our heritage and a desire to bring joy and connection through all we do, we work to conserve the past and protect and develop the future. Our inspiration is to ensure that this sacred haven and resource to the diocese continues to be a source of joy and enrichment for countless generations to come.
Our Strategic Aims
In the next 12 months our key aims are:
Finance. Working towards resolving our financial deficit by:
• Reviewing our property, undertaking an options appraisal
• Undertaking a full review of all resource expenditure and assessing possibilities for rationalisation
• Implementing a freewill offering review amongst the Minster community
• Developing a clear and appropriate fundraising strategy, focusing particularly on music and property
Buildings. Working with professional consultants (with thanks to the Church Commissioners) we will develop a buildings and property masterplan with an options appraisal so that a long-term strategy for our whole property portfolio can be agreed and implemented. This will incorporate our commitment to working towards Net Carbon Zero.
Leadership. In this interim stage of the Cathedral’s life, the appointment of key Leadership posts is proceeding as follows:
• Dean. It is expected that a new Dean will be in post early in 2026
• Chief Operating Officer. Recruitment process will begin in spring / early summer of 2025, following the appointment of Chief Finance Officer
• Chief Finance Officer. Recruitment process progressing
• Residentiary Canon. Recruitment process to begin once the new Dean has been appointed (but probably before s/he is in post)
Liturgy and Worship. The worship of God in liturgy and prayer is at the heart of who Southwell Cathedral is, as it has been for 1,000 years. The daily and weekly patterns of prayer and worship are the key focus of all we do here. We will continue to seek ways of enhancing and developing our liturgy and worship, including our important ministry amongst children and young people, so that all who enter this Cathedral encounter the embracing love of Jesus Christ.
Music. A comprehensive music strategy is in progress of development, which will in turn inform a major fundraising initiative to secure the future of the offering of musical excellence at Southwell Cathedral.
Mission and Outreach. A reinvigorated culture of joined-up thinking and working is being established, with clear implications for our cooperation and cross fertilisation with all partners. Partnerships include Diocese, County, Town, Schools, Institutions, cultural links, business and other communities. This will be an inter-disciplinary approach across all aspects of the Cathedral’s life.
Welcome and Care. Southwell Minster is known as a place of welcome and pastoral care. Clear focus continues to be given to ensuring the best possible welcome to all visitors and the offering of appropriate pastoral care not just within the immediate community, but beyond.
Safeguarding. Southwell Cathedral has established a culture of positive regard for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. This will continue to be a high priority at the heart of the life of the Cathedral.
Education. As the Cathedral for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham we will continue to value highly our ministry of education amongst children and adults across the county and beyond.
Events. We are proud to be a sought-after venue for a wide variety of events, from services and concerts to exhibitions and fayres. We will continue to develop this important strand in our life which introduces a wide variety of people to the Minster.
Areas to Explore for the next 12 Months
A Rural Cathedral. Southwell Minster is highly unusual in its rural setting. This provides us with a wonderful opportunity to explore ways to develop as a centre for rural ministry both locally and more widely. The rural themes of place, environment and architecture (the internationally renowned Leaves of Southwell) provide an ideal background to develop this area of mission and ministry.
A Centre of Prayer and Spirituality. A Diocesan Cathedral which is a working, living church with a wealth of spiritual riches and roots. How can we enable people to encounter and engage with faith, spiritual development, pilgrimage and prayer life. This is a ministry ripe for further promotion and encouragement.
Visitor Experience. Ensuring we have the basics right for Southwell Minster to give the best experience to all who come to visit regardless of reason. We see this from three perspectives:
• Practical including signage and welcome and an integrated experience of faith and heritage
• Community Engagement ensuring that we are at the beating heart of the town and locality,
• Income Generation as a venue of choice for a wide variety of artistic ventures
A Resourcing Cathedral. The traditional role of a Minster is to resource the churches and communities of their neighbourhood. Southwell Minster is a centre of excellence, including music, liturgy and education. We are keen to share our expertise and offer resources for development to the parishes and churches of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.
Conclusion
Southwell is known as a place of refreshment, and our wonderful Minster carries the prayers of 1,000 years and countless generations. Further, the beautiful gardens, the music and liturgy, the art and history, all combine to make this place a destination for pilgrimage and spiritual refreshment. The name of the town in which this Cathedral is set, Southwell, comes from its historical setting as a place of water and healing. As a rural Cathedral with the beautiful Leaves of Southwell it is so clearly associated with the natural world. Further, it is a recognised centre for musical excellence. Our vision for the future is to secure the finances and buildings of our Cathedral, so that we can continue to bring joy to the people of God, hope through our worship and resources, and the peace of God expressed where heaven and nature sing.
Every blessing for a holy Lent,
Neil
6 March 2025