Archdeacon of Doncaster begins his ministry
Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 14:28
The Diocese of Sheffield will turn out at Sheffield Cathedral tomorrow evening (Wednesday 25 January 7.30pm) to welcome the new Archdeacon of Doncaster, Steve Wilcockson.
In what is known as a “Service of Licensing and Collation” Steve will succeed Archdeacon Bob Fitzharris who retired last month.
The Archdeacon-designate will be flanked by family and friends and supported by colleagues and parishioners from former places in which he has served.
In the congregation will be suffragan bishops, archdeacons, colleagues, and friends from the Diocese of Chester as well as former parishioners and colleagues from St. Paul's Howell Hill, Cheam, in the Diocese of Guildford.
The order of service explains to those clergy and laity present from across the Diocese of Sheffield that: “As archdeacon, Steve will work with colleagues in the Doncaster archdeaconry to develop the capacity of deaneries and parishes both to grow existing Christian communities and to grow fresh expressions of church. Steve will also contribute to the wider mission and life of the Diocese and will have a particular care for the ministry of chaplains.”
The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Steven Croft will lead the service. He will invite the Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, Martyn Snow to lead the Archdeacon-designate of Doncaster to the chancel step in the Cathedral to prepare for the legal aspect of the ceremony. The Bishop also asks the Dean of Sheffield, Peter Bradley, to install the newly collated Archdeacon. Canon Paul Shackerley, Vicar of Doncaster Minster, will say a prayer for the new Archdeacon.
Archdeacon designate, Steve Wilcockson, said today: “I am looking forward to beginning work in the Doncaster Archdeaconry and the Sheffield Diocese. It's about three months since I was appointed, so it will be nice to get started. Heather and I have been given a warm welcome since our move earlier this month, and we both look forward to making new friends.”
Sheffield Cathedral Choir are putting final touches to special music for the evening – which also marks the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. The boy choristers and songmen of the Cathedral are directed by the Director of Music, Neil Taylor. The organ is played by the Assistant Director of Music, Anthony Gowing.
At this service the Choir sings the Gloria in Excelsis, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei from the Kleine Orgelmesse by Haydn.
