Two part time Interim appointments were announced at Chelmsford Cathedral yesterday.
The Rev’d John Fry (pictured left) has been appointed as Interim Cathedral Missioner and the Rev’d Sebastian Harries (pictured right) has been appointed as Interim Cathedral Precentor.
John Fry is Vicar of the Theydon Parishes in the Harlow Archdeaconry where he has served, since his ordination in 2013, originally as Curate and as Vicar since 2016. He will continue to serve as Vicar on a part time basis and will serve in his Cathedral role on the first and second Sundays of each month, as well as on Mondays, Tuesdays and part of Thursdays.
Speaking about his appointment, John said:
"Having been nurtured in the Christian faith at St Michael's Westcliff-on-Sea, baptised, confirmed and later called to Ordination in the Diocese of Chelmsford, I am surprised and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Cathedral church for a season alongside my existing parochial responsibilities in the Theydon Parishes. I look forward to getting to know the community and travelling together under God for a time.”
Sebastian Harries currently serves as School Chaplain to St Gabriel's College Camberwell and as an Assistant Priest at St John the Divine with St James the Apostle, Kennington in the Diocese of Southwark. Ordained in 2016, Sebastian served his curacy in Lingfield and Dormansland in Southwark Diocese and holds PTO in the Diocese of Chelmsford where he lives with his wife the Rev’d Olivia Maxfield-Coote who is Team Vicar in the Epping Team Ministry.
Sebastian will serve in his Cathedral role on the second and fourth Sunday of each month and some fifth Sundays as well as on Fridays, Saturdays and part of Thursdays.
Speaking about his new role, Sebastian said:
“I'm really excited about meeting and getting to know the congregation and cathedral team. Chelmsford Cathedral has a special place in my heart as my wife, Olivia, was ordained here, several years ago. We have always found the Cathedral a very welcoming community, and I look forward to joining in with your ministry of hospitality.”
The interim Dean of Chelmsford, the Very Rev’d Paul Kennington said:
“I’m very pleased that John and Sebastian will be joining us next month. They will both bring considerable expertise and experience and a heart for mission and liturgy that will greatly enhance our Cathedral ministry. Please join me in praying for them both as they prepare for their ministry with us.”
John and Sebastian will start their new roles on 30 April and they will both be licensed by the Bishop of Chelmsford in a service of Evensong at the Cathedral on 4 May. Their appointment to these two part time roles takes place instead of the originally planned appointment of a full time Interim Canon of Liturgy and Mission that was advertised in January. The expectation is that John and Sebastian will serve in these roles until 31 December this year.