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Collation, Admission and Installation of the new Chapter Steward

Published: on 15th November 2006 by Alix Peacock in Press Releases

Mr Stephen Anderson, the new Chapter Steward of York Minster, will complete his inauguration into the life of the Minster on Saturday 18th November 2006 when he becomes a Lay canon. He will be Installed in the Quire during Evensong at 5.15pm. This will be preceded by his Admission into the College of Canons in the Chapter House. Earlier in the day, there will be a ceremony of Collation by the Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu in the Lady Chapel of York Minster.

As a Lay Canon, Mr Anderson will be a member of the Dean and Chapter, the governing body of the Minster. He is one of four lay people on that governing body. As Chapter Steward, Mr Anderson is the senior lay member of staff, with overall responsibility for the day to day administration of the Minster, excluding worship and pastoral activities, which is the responsibility of the Dean and 3 clerical residentiary Canons.

Speaking on his becoming a lay canon at the Minster, Stephen Anderson, Chapter Steward said "I have been made to feel so welcome by this Christian, Yorkshire community. The Minster building speaks powerfully to me of a transcendent God; but it is the warmth and care of its people here, that presents a God that is real and relevant on a daily basis too. To have both that beyondness and personal knowing come together so powerfully in this place is a real joy and will no doubt sustain me in my work here."

"A key part of that work is the York Minster Revealed programme we are putting together for enhancing our visitor and pilgrim experience. This programme will incorporate our repair and renovation work such as that to the East Front, so that that which has lasted for centuries can be both seen and interpreted afresh by the current generation - and handed on to the next, for we are all stewards in the course of human history."

"It is an enormous task, developing, guiding and sustaining such a huge programme of work, organisationally and financially, over what will be many years - and keeping the normal day to day activities going in the meantime. But we have a very able team, employees and volunteers, who are in good heart and enthusiastic for our purpose. It is not an inwardly focused one. The Minster is for everyone - its own community certainly, but so too for all the people of York, the region and the country; for worshippers, pilgrims, visitors, those of many faiths and those of no faith that come only to see something of our heritage as a nation and marvel at the creativity and workmanship and skill that has created this wonderful building."

"I very much hope that my time at the Minster will be one of growth and renewal, rooted firmly and safely in our past, but looking forward also with confidence and creativity to our future. We are planning some very exciting things to happen in and around the Minster in the time to come and as part of the Dean & Chapter, I hope very much to be able to make further announcements in the near future."

Mr Anderson is 52, and is married with two children. He had an earlier career in financial services in various executive roles and was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of a group of charities based at St Andrew Holborn in the City of London.

Mr Anderson is also in training for non-stipendiary ministry in the Church.

- ENDS -

Notes to the Media:

Explanation of terms:

Collation: The giving of a license to be a Canon, under the authority of the Archbishop. This ceremony is performed by the Archbishop of York.

Admission: The new Canon becomes a member of the Chapter and the College of Canons. It takes place in the Chapter House, and is an ancient ceremony.

Installation: During Evensong the newly Licensed and Admitted Canon is placed in his stall in the Quire.