Gloucester Cathedral is delighted to announce the appointment of The Reverend Canon Richard Mitchell as Director of Congregational Development and Canon Precentor.
Currently Area Dean of Severn Vale and Chair of the house of clergy in the Diocese of Gloucester, Canon Richard will be installed in the Cathedral on Saturday 10 September 2016 at 4.30pm.
As part of his role Canon Richard will help to drive the Cathedral’s vision In Tune with Heaven, In Touch with Daily Life, enabling the Cathedral to serve Gloucester as a dynamic place of spiritual, heritage and community activity. Key areas of responsibility will include developing the Cathedral’s Christian worshipping life, building relationships with families and local communities, and continuing its rich 500 year old tradition of musical excellence.
Canon Richard will be joining at an exciting time as Project Pilgrim is now underway. The £6m Heritage Lottery Fund project will restore and enhance key areas of the Cathedral, make the building more accessible and provide new opportunities for people to be part of its heritage.
Canon Richard said: “I am honoured to have been appointed Director of Congregational Development and Canon Precentor. In leading and working with our talented musicians and staff, I will seek to build on the work of the past to develop our Christian worshipping life, and to further encompass the diversity and richness of faith and culture.”
The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester welcomed the announcement saying: “We are delighted that Richard is going to be joining the Chapter and the team at the Cathedral during this crucial time of growth and change. After a rigorous selection process involving the Prime Minister’s Appointment Secretary, it is particularly good to be welcoming such a senior and personable priest from within the Diocese.”
The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester said: “I am delighted that Richard will be the new Canon Precentor and Director of Congregational Development. Whilst it will be sad to bid him farewell from Severn Vale deanery where he currently serves as both a Vicar and Area Dean, his gifts and experience will contribute something very significant both to the life of the Cathedral and to the wider Diocese as we continue to journey together.”
