The new Dean of Bradford chose the slow way of life this week when he decided to walk to his installation, all the way from Ripon Cathedral.
Walking to his installation, the new Dean of Bradford takes the slow way of life.
The Revd Andy Bowerman decided to use the time to pray and to wonder ahead of the start of his ministry in the city, which has just been revealed as UK City of Culture 2025.
He chose to walk the newly launched 42-mile Yorkshire Heritage Way that links Ripon and Bradford cathedrals and was joined by his son, Josh.
Together they took in Fountains Abbey and Bolton Abbey before heading into the city of Bradford where Andy served his first curacy, and to Bradford Cathedral where he was first ordained.
No newcomer to pilgrimage, Andy and his son have already walked the St Cuthbert’s Way in County Durham and plan to walk between the three cathedrals of the diocese of Leeds, Ripon, Bradford and Wakefield, as well as some of the Major churches in the diocese, such as Dewsbury, Leeds and Halifax minsters.
“There were two things that came to me while we were walking; one is that God is constant in all things, and secondly, being in Yorkshire, I was able to wonder about the vastness and beauty of creation all around us.
“We live such busy lives, and sometimes it is good to go slow and allow God to speak to us in the spaces we create.
“This week for me has been all about walking with God,’ he added.
The Revd Andy Bowerman will be installed as Dean of Bradford in Bradford Cathedral this Sunday, 19 June, at 3.30pm.
His installation will be live-streamed on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel here.
Andy has just returned from Dubai where he led the Mission to Seafarers team.
He is married to Ali and they have four children and one grandchild.
