Dean of Southwell announces her retirement

THE Very Reverend Nicola Sullivan, Dean of Southwell (pictured), has announced her plans to retire later this year.

Dean Nicola’s last day at the Cathedral will be Sunday 29th September. She will then take a period of leave as she and Terry prepare to move, and to allow for recovery from scheduled eye surgery in November.

Speaking to the Cathedral congregation as she made the announcement during a service on 7th July, Dean Nicola said: “It has been a great privilege and honour to serve as Dean. Cathedral ministry is hugely rewarding. It is also immensely demanding and requires significant reserves of energy and stamina, and I have come to the conclusion that I no longer have sufficient of these to give the Cathedral and Diocese everything it needs from its Dean.

“In the meantime, I remain thoroughly committed to the Cathedral and my role within it and am looking forward to working with the Minster staff and the Chapter in all there is to do in the next few months.”

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, The Right Reverend Paul Williams, said: “I want to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude for her ministry to the Minster. Her prayerful support and wisdom, as well as her pastoral gifting and spiritual encouragement have enriched and blessed the lives of many across our diocese, both within the church and those serving in civic roles in our city and county.”

There will be a Service of Festal Evensong in Southwell Minster at 3.30pm on Sunday 29th September where the Diocese and Minster congregation will say farewell to Dean Nicola.

The process for the appointment of a new dean will be shared in due course. In the meantime, Bishop Paul be working closely with the Senior Non-Executive Member on behalf of the Cathedral Chapter to ensure that additional interim ministry is available to support the cathedral during the vacancy, which will include the appointment of an interim dean.