A Farewell to the Dean of Southwell
The community of Southwell Minster, friends, family, colleagues and civic representatives from all parts of the diocese and beyond gathered in Southwell Minster on Sunday 29th September for a Service of Festal Evensong for Michael and All Angels and Farewell to the Dean of Southwell, the Very Revd Nicola Sullivan. Nicola has been Dean of Southwell for over 8 years, leading the ministry and mission of the cathedral as well as supporting the spiritual life of the diocese and the county of Nottinghamshire. The Cathedral Choir and Minster Chorale joined together to lead sung worship, singing joyful settings of Psalm 100 and 67, and Nicola chose hymns which also reflected the themes of praise and thanksgiving to God for his faithfulness through all the seasons of life.
In her sermon, Nicola spoke movingly from 2 Corinthians 4:7, in which St Paul writes‘But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us’ Nicola reminded those gathered ‘St Paul has learned the lesson that is for all time for any who would follow Jesus Christ. It’s not about us. It’s about God. We’re like these clay, earthenware jars, knocking around everywhere. Unremarkable, ordinary, fallible, definitely with a few cracks and flaws, an everyday utensil made from dust that is easily passed over and yet – imagine! Containing treasure, priceless, unimaginable treasure, the search of a lifetime to behold.’ She went on to say ‘The treasure of the gospel entrusted to us, imperfect and fallible as we are, is that God’s costly love has been communicated to us in the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The invitation is to turn and follow, to trust, to grow, to change.’ The full text of Nicola’s sermon can be read here
Formal thanks were offered to Nicola and her husband Terry from members of the Minster community, led by Jan Richardson, a non-executive member of the Cathedral Chapter. On behalf of the Minster, Jan also presented Nicola with a necklace for her to wear ‘on days when she isn’t wearing her dog collar!’ The former Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace, also spoke about how much he and those in the wider community appreciated Nicola’s calm and compassionate leadership through some of the exceptional events in the nation’s recent history, including the pandemic, the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Bishop Paul paid tribute to Nicola on behalf of the diocese, expressing gratitude for her prayers and encouragement to so many, who held in her in ‘deep affection … as a gracious, kind-hearted and exceptionally diligent steward of the Gospel.’ Bishop Paul also prayed for God’s blessing on Nicola and Terry as they prepare to retire to the Southwest of England at the end of this year.
The bishop will share arrangements for an interim Dean of Southwell in due course.
