Two Notts vicars to be made Cathedral Canons

Two Nottinghamshire clergy, be installed as canons at Southwell Minster this Autumn. The Revd Dr Richard Kellett, vicar of Skegby with Teversal and Area Dean of Newstead and the Revd Sarah Clark, Rector of Clifton Team Ministry, will take up their additional roles as canons following a service at the Cathedral on Saturday 27th November  at 5.45pm.

Both Richard and Sarah have served in number of parishes in the diocese for many years.

Sarah Clark, who is originally from the Welsh Valleys, worked as a civil servant before being ordained in 1998. She became a curate in Nottingham at St James’ Church, Porchester, before moving to Carlton-in-Lindrick, where she later took on the additional coordination role of Area Dean for Worksop Deanery. During her time in Worksop Deanery she was very involved in the reorganisation of the deaneries combining three deaneries into the new deanery of Bassetlaw and Bawtry. In 2009 she moved to Nottingham to become Team Rector at Clifton, which includes an outer urban estate with two estate churches, St Francis & Holy Trinity, and the ancient parish church of St Mary's in Clifton Village.  Clifton is the largest in parish in the diocese with a population of about 28,000 and recently grew with the opening of Larkhill Retirement Village. She said, "I enjoy living in Clifton. There is a great local community here where people still look out for each other and show great resilience of character. It's also a really lovely place to live with green spaces, the Trent near by and beautiful trees'.

Sarah is involved in Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Accompaniment in the diocese, with particular interest in Ignation Spirituality (linked to the founder of the Jesuits). She enjoys walking, sport, especially football and when she has time bird watching.

Talking about becoming a Cathedral Canon. She said: “It is a very unexpected honour, but I hope to be able to contribute to the links between parishes and the cathedral, encouraging our congregations to go and visit Southwell for a day out and experience the rich historical and spiritual elements of the Minster first hand.” Sarah will be installed into the Retford stall in the Cathedral.

Richard Kellett, who was a medical research scientist in industry before being ordained, trained for the ministry at St John’s College, Nottingham and completed his curacy at St Jude’s church, Mapperley. In 2000, he was appointed as Priest-in-Charge of Skegby and Stanton Hill with Teversal and became vicar in 2002. Richard became Area Dean of Newstead in 2006, combining the coordination role with parish duties.  He also helps train clergy in leadership skills both locally and nationally.

During a sabbatical three years ago he completed research in to shared ministry in the Diocese of Christchurch in New Zealand. His findings have helped inspire some strategic proposals across this diocese.

Richard is married to Celia and they have three daughters Lydia (16), Ruth (14) and Anna (11). Once a month he can be heard on Radio Nottingham, contributing to ‘thought for the day’ In his spare time he keeps chickens and, weather permitting, likes to pilot a small plane.

Talking about becoming a Cathedral Canon, he said: “It's an honour to be asked. I’m looking forward to finding out how God wants to use my experiences in the former coalfield communities and work amongst young people to help the Cathedral in its mission and ministry.” Richard will take up the stall of North Leverton in the Cathedral.