There are a number of pending changes in the senior staff and I’ve wanted to ensure some continuity, stability and memory, while also reducing the average age and introducing a female priest to the team.  Jan’s pastoral good sense, wise advice and proven ability to work with me commend her.  It has also been essential to ensure that the next archdeacon has a substantial complementary ministry, given the small scale of the archdeaconry.

As you will know, Clifford Offer held a number of other responsibilities.  The Dean and Chapter is now committed to supporting a full time Canon Librarian who will take forward the educational work of the Cathedral, opportunities for which will grow still further as a result of the building of the Visitor and Education Centre (the Hostry).  The Cathedral Library has grown in scale and use in recent years, and much closer working relationships have been established with Emmaus House and the Training Team.  There is much to do.

The Bishop of Thetford will take over as Chair of the Board of Ministry and his eventual successor will also carry this responsibility.

Roger Key will be the Acting Warden of Readers (another of Clifford’s responsibilities) and in due course another member of the senior staff will take over this responsibility.

So there are a considerable number of changes pending, of which Jan’s appointment is the first.  Do keep her in your prayers.

+Graham Norvic:
Bishop of Norwich