A vision for the Cathedral

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June 2006

A vision for the Cathedral

The congregation of St David’s Cathedral asks: ‘Who is our new Dean?’

The Very Reverend Dr Lindsay Stoddart, installed as Dean at St David’s Cathedral on Saturday 25 March, has lost no time in getting to know, and becoming known to, the Cathedral, Diocesan and Tasmanian communities.

Already, he has featured on the ABC’s Stateline program, which highlighted his desire to work closely with young people, and foster the Cathedral’s ministry with Anglican schools.

Lindsay says that his conviction that God was calling him to St David’s was confirmed when his wife Jan obtained a position as teacher librarian at Friends’ School. He particularly wanted to come to Tasmania, the ‘missionary diocese’, and believes that he has a positive role to play in the Bishop’s vision for Tasmania, and, in particular, to help the Cathedral re-vitalise and grow.

Lindsay’s theological studies include a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, USA, and a Master of Philosophy from the University of Sheffield, UK. His legal training and experience in property, the development of churches, ordinances, leases and licences will also be valuable both to the Cathedral and to the Diocese.

His vision for the Cathedral?

The Dean recently invited the congregation to meet to share our thoughts and dreams for the Cathedral, and allow him to share his personal vision with us. Many took up Lindsay’s invitation, and have been gratified at the prompt incorporation of our responses into the immediate ‘workplan’!

Lindsay’s vision can be summarised thus:

Restoring our Cathedral
Growing our Cathedral community
Sharing our community life
Building a firm faith

Restoring the Cathedral to its full beauty for God, glorifying contemporary ministry, including the creation of ministry space in existing buildings such as restoring the cloisters as a meeting place; strategic asset management; investigating ideas of a Cathedral ‘shop’ and museum; reviewing all aspects of our communication.

Growing the Cathedral community as a vital and relevant place to belong; becoming an inter-generational community, integrating all ages from cradle to grave in worship and life; an emphasis on pastoral care; sharing our faith, for example through courses such as Christianity Explained; encouraging lay teams; rebuilding a viable financial base.

Sharing our community life to better serve the City of Hobart, State and Diocese, including offering liturgical worship to City, State and Diocese in times of joy, sadness and occasion; further developing a community at midweek services; initiating contemporary issue forums and midweek Bible discussion.

Building a firm faith to stand for Christ; inviting visiting theologians in liturgy, ethics, applied theology and Christian leadership to teach occasionally; speaking out on socio/political issues from a Biblical perspective; designing and teaching contemporary and traditional liturgy in conformity with the Book of Common Prayer and authorised liturgies; ministry to Anglican schools.

How has his vision been manifest in his ministry so far? Reactions from some of the Cathedral congregation include:

• A man of action and energy, able to quickly assess situations and decide on a path forward; organised and positive

• A caring man, with a sense of fun and a keen sense of humour

• A man with a broad vision, keen to include everyone, moving with each of us as he shepherds the congregation forward

• A man of deep faith, able to share the Word clearly through his excellent preaching and the liturgy

• Identified, and shared objectives are already initiated and underway …

We look forward to a challenging, fruitful and rewarding ministry – for Lindsay and the Cathedral both.

The Dean of St David's Cathedral, the Very Revd Dr Lindsay Stoddart. Photo by Jonathan Adamczewski

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				June 2006

		A vision for the Cathedral The congregation of St David’s Cathedral asks: ‘Who is our new Dean?’ The Very Reverend Dr Lindsay Stoddart, installed as Dean at St David’s Cathedral on Saturday 25 March, has lost no time in getting to know, and becoming known to, the Cathedral, Diocesan and Tasmanian communities. Already, he has featured on the ABC’s Stateline program, which highlighted his desire to work closely with young people, and foster the Cathedral’s ministry with Anglican schools. Lindsay says that his conviction that God was calling him to St David’s was confirmed when his wife Jan obtained a position as teacher librarian at Friends’ School. He particularly wanted to come to Tasmania, the ‘missionary diocese’, and believes that he has a positive role to play in the Bishop’s vision for Tasmania, and, in particular, to help the Cathedral re-vitalise and grow. Lindsay’s theological studies include a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, USA, and a Master of Philosophy from the University of Sheffield, UK. His legal training and experience in property, the development of churches, ordinances, leases and licences will also be valuable both to the Cathedral and to the Diocese. His vision for the Cathedral? The Dean recently invited the congregation to meet to share our thoughts and dreams for the Cathedral, and allow him to share his personal vision with us. Many took up Lindsay’s invitation, and have been gratified at the prompt incorporation of our responses into the immediate ‘workplan’! Lindsay’s vision can be summarised thus: Restoring our Cathedral Growing our Cathedral community Sharing our community life Building a firm faith Restoring the Cathedral to its full beauty for God, glorifying contemporary ministry, including the creation of ministry space in existing buildings such as restoring the cloisters as a meeting place; strategic asset management; investigating ideas of a Cathedral ‘shop’ and museum; reviewing all aspects of our communication. Growing the Cathedral community as a vital and relevant place to belong; becoming an inter-generational community, integrating all ages from cradle to grave in worship and life; an emphasis on pastoral care; sharing our faith, for example through courses such as Christianity Explained; encouraging lay teams; rebuilding a viable financial base. Sharing our community life to better serve the City of Hobart, State and Diocese, including offering liturgical worship to City, State and Diocese in times of joy, sadness and occasion; further developing a community at midweek services; initiating contemporary issue forums and midweek Bible discussion. Building a firm faith to stand for Christ; inviting visiting theologians in liturgy, ethics, applied theology and Christian leadership to teach occasionally; speaking out on socio/political issues from a Biblical perspective; designing and teaching contemporary and traditional liturgy in conformity with the Book of Common Prayer and authorised liturgies; ministry to Anglican schools. How has his vision been manifest in his ministry so far? Reactions from some of the Cathedral congregation include: • A man of action and energy, able to quickly assess situations and decide on a path forward; organised and positive • A caring man, with a sense of fun and a keen sense of humour • A man with a broad vision, keen to include everyone, moving with each of us as he shepherds the congregation forward • A man of deep faith, able to share the Word clearly through his excellent preaching and the liturgy • Identified, and shared objectives are already initiated and underway … We look forward to a challenging, fruitful and rewarding ministry – for Lindsay and the Cathedral both.