The Reverend June Lawson has been licensed as the new Area Dean of Wakefield, one of the three deaneries in the Wakefield Episcopal Area, at a service of Choral Evensong held in Wakefield Cathedral on Ascension Day.
People from across the Wakefield Deanery joined friends and family to support June in an uplifting service during which she was installed by the Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Revd Tony Robinson.
June, a priest vicar at Wakefield Cathedral, now half time Director of the Mirfield Centre and also Chair of Governors of Cathedral Academy has stood down from her former role as Dean of Women’s ministry and will no longer work with the Diocesan School of Ministry based at Mirfield.
As well as being appointed Area Dean of Wakefield, June will also work as Clergy Development Officer for the Episcopal Area.
Bishop Tony said: “I am delighted that June is now the Area Dean of Wakefield. June will be a great support to th clergy and parishes in the Deanery.
June was installed by the Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Revd Tony Robinson, pictured here with Fr George Guiver, Superior, Br Jacob and Mark, a novice from the Community of the Resurrection.
June said: “I am very much looking forward to my role as Area Dean coming alongside the fantastic clergy, lay ministers and parishes in Wakefield deanery as they engage in and come together to reflect upon ministry and mission in varied local contexts.
“I hope that I can support and represent them all well over the coming years. Area Deans also have an important role in helping good communication between members of the deanery and diocesan systems and structures, so I’ll do my best to be that bridge also!”