Canon Dr Jill Hopkinson is among five new canons from across the Diocese and beyond who were admitted to Salisbury Cathedral College of Canons on 5 October. The five new non-residentiary canons have each pioneered new ways of sharing and nurturing Christian faith.
Hopkinson is Director of Studies at Sarum’s Centre for Formation in Ministry leads the Rural Ministry Pathway, the only course in the country which specifically trains and equips people for the challenges of ordained ministry in the countryside.
Sarum College Principal James Woodward, a honorary Canon at Salisbury Cathedral since 2015, congratulated Dr Hopkinson on behalf of the Sarum College community, describing her as ‘a pioneer in rural mission and ministry,’ adding, ‘We value our partnership with the Cathedral and look forward to exploring ways of developing collaboration.’
The Revd Paul Bradbury, founder and leader of Poole Missional Communities, also a new Canon, is the lead external tutor on Sarum’s Parish-based pioneer ministry pathway.
The three other new Canons are: Sarah Musgrave, a psychotherapist working with children and adults who have experienced trauma, abuse, and rejection; the Revd Simon Evans, Chaplain to Dorset Police and the Revd Dr. Stella Wood, Chaplain at Bishop Wordsworth’s School.
‘During lockdown the Cathedral was forced to find new ways to communicate with its community and to speak more widely,’ said The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos. ‘We will use much of what we learnt during those difficult days as we go forward, and we will certainly benefit from the insights and experience of these new canons, each of whom have found ways to share their faith differently.’
Each canon will be allocated a stall in the Cathedral Quire. At twice yearly meetings the College members provide feedback on policy decisions made by Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body, and on Cathedral activities.