A New Archdeacon

It was a busy weekend, as I was at Norwich Cathedral on both Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday it was the installation of a new Canon Librarian at the Cathedral, who will be responsible for the Cathedral library (amazingly) and for education in the new Hostry, to be opened in September.

But the historic occasion was Sunday afternoon when the new Archdeacon of Norwich was installed, for she is female!

“So what?” I hear you cry. “There are masses of female clergy in our country, and a bishop or two as well.”

There are masses of female clergy in the UK too, but only twelve female Archdeacons to a hundred male Archdeacons. And of course, no female bishops. So you begin to see why I considered Sunday to be such a red-letter day. Jan, the new Archdeacon, has been Communications Officer in the diocese for eight or nine years – a post which she will continue to hold, which is good because she’s brilliant at it. Things are really looking up for Norwich Diocese.

Had my Lent group yesterday, at which twice as many people as last week turned up. So that was four, then. Still, you never know. Next week we may (or may not!) get eight.

This morning we had a clergy Chapter meeting, which was good fun. It’s quite encouraging to meet with other clergy and discover that everyone is in much the same boat – struggling! But the Rural Dean is now fully recovered from his illness, which lets me off the hook as I’ve been acting as his deputy for a while.

Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday. I hate, loathe and detest it, but at least the family is coming over. Well, eldest daughter, husband and grandchild, anyway.

Off now to think about something to say to the kids – if any should turn up for the service – and if not, we’ll all get our little bunches of daffodils anyway. Can’t be bad.

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