The new members are the Revd Toby Hole, our Director of Mission and Ministry; the Revd Eleanor Robertshaw, Team Rector of the Parish of Great Snaith; the Revd Captain Mike Reeder, Chaplain at St Luke’s Hospice, Sheffield and Chaplain to the Bishop of Doncaster; and the Revd Karen Cribb, self-supporting minister at St Mary, Bramall Lane, and Bishop’s Adviser for Self-Supporting Ministry.
Honorary canons (whether lay or ordained) are appointed by the Bishop after consulting with the Dean, in recognition of distinguished service to the Diocese.
Mike Reeder has been serving in various places as a chaplain, and tells us where he was when he first heard the news that he would be invited to join the College of Canons:
“It was a great honour when Bishop Pete had a quiet word with me in the Cathedral at the time when we were celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and it was a bit of a surprise! I had been a lay Canon before I was ordained (from 2006-2009), and on my ordination I resign in order to take up my curacy. With Bishop Pete’s invitation it feels like I’m returning back to something familiar.”
Mike explains what the position means in terms of the duties that he’ll be carrying out:
“The College of Canons is a well of wisdom and experience that the Bishops, Dean and Chapter can call when the need arises. It’s a place of safety where people can ask questions, and we can be a resource both in answering questions and offering practical support.
“On my appointment as a lay Canon the Cathedral asked me to come and be the chaplain to the staff, which I’ve been doing for many years. I’m a resource to staff in joyful and difficult times.
“I feel the reason I’ve been asked is because I’m a chaplain in many settings, from serving Bishop Sophie to serving St Luke’s Hospice. My ministry has always been about chaplaincy, so I feel the role I’ve been asked to fulfil is to be a voice for chaplaincy across the Diocese. It is a great honour for me personally, but it’s a big honour for chaplains to be represented in the College of Canons.”
A service of installation for the new members will take place at 4pm on Sunday 13th November.