On Sunday 9th February a special service was held in the Cathedral to award the St Cedd's Medal to three people from churches across our Diocese. Recipients of the St Cedd's Medal this year included the Cathedral's former Chief Finance Officer Caroline who retired from the role last year.
The St Cedd’s Medal is awarded, with the gratitude of the Bishop, to lay members of Chelmsford Diocese for their distinguished service over many years.
The recepients of the St Cedd's Medal awarded by Bishop Guli on Sunday were:
Philip Hawkes from St Mary the Virgin Lindsell
Philip’s dedicated service as Church Warden of St Mary the Virgin, Lindsell, has been borne out in his commitment to ensuring that God is worshipped each Sunday in the Lindsell area. He leads worship with his fellow Church Warden and is well known for his support for, and hospitality to, Church Wardens across the Dunmow deanery. His contribution to diocesan life has extended beyond the parish and deanery and he was a respected Chairman of the Diocesan Finance Committee for many years.
Robert Parmenter from St Edmund's Chruch Abbess Roding
Robert has served as Church Warden at St Edmund’s Church, Abbess Roding since 1975, demonstrating faithful commitment to the people of Abbess Roding and the mission of St Edmund’s Church. He has lived out his deep faith by building and maintaining strong links between the church and the wider community, including organising the ’Walk of a Thousand Men’ mission. Robert was instrumental in establishing and running the 1st Rodings Scout Troop and a Youth Club. He has also personally delivered the church magazine for the last 30 years to everyone in the parish, using this as a focus to build good and lasting relationships with people from all walks of life.
Caroline Robinson from Chelmsford Cathedral
Caroline joined the Cathedral staff in 1996 to support the Dean with the Cathedral finances, having previously worked for HM Treasury. She went on to become the Chief Finance Officer and oversaw the Cathedral's finances as the sole member of the finance team for the majority of her time. Her role grew and expanded alongside the development and expansion of the Cathedral. Caroline was elected to the Executive of the Cathedrals Administration and Finance Association in 2005 and also served on the Executive of the Association of English Cathedrals. She retired from her roles in the Autumn of 2024 but continues to worship at the Cathedral and is very active with her volunteer roles.