The Dean of Bradford’s final service saw the whole cathedral choir come together for the first time since lockdown for their (first and) last Choral Evensong before the summer break.
Dean of Bradford’s final service
The Very Revd Jerry Lepine has served the Church of England for almost forty years, and Bradford for eight years, and said he had been blessed to walk alongside all those in the city of Bradford and the wider church.
“One of the things about being clergy, is that you go deep into a community. It’s been my privilege to be alongside you, in your stories, and the stories of those in the city and the wider church. It’s been such a blessing and a gift that you’ve given to us.
“The engagement with God and human beings is beyond price,” he added.
It was one of a number of farewell services held this month for retiring Dean Jerry which saw diocesan, civic, church and the wider community come together to say goodbye. He was presented with a number of gifts – including a specially written poem – ‘A Dean’s Journey’ – which was also performed at one of the services by Diane Pacitti, who had been the Cathedral’s Poet in Residence during its centenary year.
Dean Jerry ceremonially placed his cope on the altar to mark the end of his tenure as Dean of Bradford.
He said:
“Deans will come and go, but the music goes on. It is the divine music that calls me, and I choose to surrender myself to that music. Again. And again. And again. Thank you.”
In his own words: Listen to Jerry speak of his time in Bradford in this podcast here.
