The Revd Ruth Hind has been installed as Ripon Cathedral’s first ever ‘Canon Evangelist’ - a new role which will emphasises the mission of the Cathedral – at a service of Collation and Installation led by the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines (pictured right).
She joins a team led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson (pictured left) and residentiary canons, Canon Paul Greenwell, the Cathedral Precentor, and Canon Elizabeth Sewell, the Canon Educator, along with interim residentiary Canon Wendy Wilby.
The new appointment marks a development in the vision and strategy for the Cathedral according to Dean John Dobson. “I am delighted that Ruth Hind is joining the residential clergy team here at Ripon Cathedral. … As our first Canon Evangelist, Canon Ruth will work within our wonderful clergy team, leading on Church growth and pastoral care. This is at an exciting juncture when we are seeing increasing numbers of worshipers at the Cathedral, and when we are discerning a new vision and strategy that encourages us to serve the needs of the local and regional communities.”
Ruth, 43, was formerly the Rector of the Parishes of Kirlington, Burneston Wath and Pickhill as well as being the Assistant Area Dean of the Wensleydale Deanery.
She has two daughters and has also served in the Lake District, and in the Hutton Cranswick Group of parishes where she was incumbent, before moving to Kirklington. She sits on General Synod and has a special interest in Reader and Lay ministry.
In his sermon the Bishop Nick spoke of the qualities that Ruth would bring to the new role. “Why did we appoint Ruth?” he asked. “You can see the experience she bring. She doesn’t bring some ‘airy-fairy’ spiritualised notion about reaching out in the name of Jesus Christ, but has had to work at it in real parishes in several dioceses. She holds together the academic and the practical and she does so with an experience of life that informs and fires her enthusiasm for bringing us good news.”
Ruth said "I am excited by the opportunities the new role presents both within the Cathedral and the city of Ripon. I am looking forward to meeting many new people, listening and sharing with them. I am delighted that this new role will enable me to be able to connect with people at key points in their lives through baptism, wedding and funeral ministry"