Kersten England, the Chief Executive of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, has become a Lay Canon of Bradford Cathedral, one eight lay people and clergy who were ‘installed’ as canons of the cathedral at the weekend (Sunday 24 November). The former Chief Executive for York has been a member of a member of the Anglican church since 1977, a former member of diocesan synod and served on the Archbishop of York’s symposium on social issues.
The former CEO of the Scout Movement, Derek Twine CBE, now the Chair of the Bradford Cathedral Council, was also made a lay canon, while six clergy were installed as Honorary Canons - Mark Poulson, Paul Ayers, John Bavington, Jimmy Hinton, Andi Hofbauer and Arani Sen.
[Pictured l-r: Mark Poulson, Arani Sen, Dean Jerry Lepine, Derek Twine, Bishop Nick, Kersten England,John Bavington, Jimmy Hinton, Andi Hofbauer, Ven Paul Ayers)
There was an international flavour to the Choral Evensong led by the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines which was packed with supporters from congregations across the diocese. The Revd Canon Mark Poulson, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs and National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Church of England was among the clergy who were made canons. They also included the Revd Canon Andi Hofbauer who was born and brought up in Germany and is now Incumbent at St Aidan’s Harehills in Leeds. The Revd Canon John Bavington grew up in Pakistan before becoming a church youth worker in England, and is now Vicar of St John’s Church Great Horton in Bradford. And after the service there was spontaneous African dancing led by members of the church in Bankfoot and West Bowling, there to support Vicar the Revd Canon Jimmy Hinton who has also been a mission partner and teacher in Zimbabwe for nine years.
The Revd Canon Arani Sen, describes himself as born in Wakefield of Indian Hindu parentage and began his Christian journey as a student in London and is now Vicar of Christ Church Upper Armley. Both he and the Venerable Paul Ayers, a native of Bradford who has served as a parish priest in various parts of the diocese and is now Archdeacon of Leeds were also made Honorary Canons.
“What you have seen in front of you this evening,” Bishop Nick told the packed congregation, “is not a weird ceremony. It’s a celebration and embracing of the huge riches of experience and perspective that each of these people bring to the life of the cathedral, to the cathedrals and this diocese.”
Three new Honorary Chaplains were also licensed at the service – the Revd Canon Dr Rod Anderson who describes himself as a ‘Kiwi in Yorkshire’, the Revd Helen Lealman, and the Revd Canon Professor Myra Shackley.
Bishop Nick said, “We welcome honorary chaplains. Look at the experience. Look at what they bring to the ministry and life of this cathedral. Do you see the richness? Do you see how strong what we have done this evening is? The Church of England is being kicked all the time. It is always being knocked. And yet before you this evening you see the quality and the depth of experience and of wisdom that just these people bring. Remember that when you see the church getting a kicking!”
(Pictured left, all those licensed or installed including the three new honorary chaplains)