In 1998 the inauguration service, Bishop Michael Turnbull said he hope the Minster would be a focal point in the city for hospitality, learning, Christian witness and service. Today the Minster is a vibrant Church in the heart of the City of Sunderland and has an exciting life in which people of all ages can meet together and connect with God. Daily prayer takes place each day which enables the Church to pray for and with the people of Sunderland, acknowledging their joys and concerns and growing together in Christian faith and discipleship.

The Minster Priest-Chaplain

As Minster Priest, I facilitate evangelistic programmes such as the Alpha course, men's breakfast meetings, Bible Study groups, children's work, youth events, 17-39's group, Fuel4Life, and regular times of worship, to ensure that the Minster is a church where people are nurtured, affirmed, stimulated, and encouraged in their Christian journey. regular time in an average week at the Minster can be given to the searching, confused, bereaved and the troubled. Part of my role is offering space for people to be listened to and feel value by God as they walk through an open door. Marriage gidance, prayer support, spiritual direction, counselling and pratical help is offered to the casual visitor on a weekly basis, and with every person I seek to help them recognise something of Jesus' love in their lives.

In addition to the pastoral care of regular worshippers and visitors to the Minster, my role as Minster Priest incvolves careful administration and planning, and focuses on overseeing the daily life of the Church, its volunteers and staff. As 'manaer of the Nave floor,' our team of six part-time paid staff work alongside me and church members to enable the Minster to function as a chosen venue for liturgical and non-liturgical events. These range from Deanery confirmation celebrations and large civic funerals, to small weekly Quaker gatherings and regular Ecumenical Bible studies. As the Minster hosts annual Diocesan youth events like 'Go Large' or award winning Art exhibtions, and develops a reputation for concerts, ceilidh gatherings and children's fun-days, as well as debates, lectures and other social functions, provision of good facilities and effective buildings maintenance is crucial.

Estates Management, Finance and Prayer

Responsible management of the building is closely linked to the effective stewardship of our resources and therefore regular monitoring of the Minster finances. The Finance Committee, which I chair, is responsible for budget setting and monitoring income generation and allocating funds for buildings, maintenance, and fabric, in liasion with the Treasurer and Administrator. Monthly rental income from user groups including the Clock Tower Coffee Shop, Antiquarian Society and Choral Society supplements a steady income from hire of rooms and fees from Occasional Offices. we are forever indebted to the dedication and commitment shown by our Administrators, office and maintenance team, Treasurer and Gift Aid Secretary as well as our Wardens and Committee members who work constantly to ensure the Minster finctions well as a vibrant and dynamic community to which we can belong.

As 'guardian' of the Minster's spirituality, a constant challenge is for me to encourage that much of the Minster's mission activity flows out of a discipline of prayer, thus providing wholeness and direction to our work. This involves balancing collaboratice work with numerous partners and stakeholders whilst holding onto an original vision of offering Christ-centred hospitality and growth in holiness together. Minster away-days, an annual retreat weekend, and participation in Lent and Advent study days enable our common life to remain rooted in God as members of a mission-shaped Minster community.

Clergy Team, Ecumenism and Civic Life

Whilst the Minster clergy team of University Chaplain, Industrial Chaplain and Canon Provost are involved in the economic regeneration and outward facing engagement of the Church in the City of Sunderland, my time as Minster Priest is committed to worship and the daily activities of the baptised, as well as those on the fringes of the Church.

Together our networks and encounters enable the Minster to help provide a prophetic voice on issues of injustice and other issues that need to be challenged in local governement abnd beyond. the Minster team also provides new energy, creative thinking and a strategic vision in the life of the local church and for the Church in the life of the city.

As Minster Priest I have recently become a Trustee for "Street Pastors Sunderland" and this year will lead the "Risen" united Churches project at Sunderland International Airshow for the third year. The Minster community is a catalyst for collective Christian action and seeks to serve and be a helpful resource to the wider church wherever possible. We regularly host city centre Minister's lunches, and with lay representatives from the Minster congregation we play an active role in Central Sunderland Churches Together.

The media and members of the public look to the Minster and its clergy for Christian comment in the life of the City. We have a dynamic relationship with local press and radio stations, and frequently host civic events and services to highlight and pray for regional, national and international concerns.

Congregational Life

The clergy team share with me in the leading of weekly services, offering pastoral care, and taking occasional offices. Currently we meet once per month for clergy staff meetings, where I organise the Minster's service rota, and i rely on colleagues for assistance with weddings, baptisms and funerals as required.

Although licensed lay ministry is somewhat underdeveloped at the Minster there have been some signs of life in recent years. I established our Pastoral care team which was set up 18months ago, who assist in visits to memebers of the Minster's congregation, and recently our first APA was licensed, whose pastoral focus had been part-time chaplaincy to the Bridges Shopping Centre. I regularly supervise Cranmer Hall students on long-term placements as part of their ministerial training, and have students on work experience with me from school. We are pleased to have recruited our second organ scholar to assist our Choirmaster in leading worship, and witness one of our Choir, Ian Wright, recieveing his Dean's award last year. David Cox once again should not go unnoticed for his tremendous work in the last year.

The overall goverance at the Minster rests with the Minster Council of which I am member, and i chair the Minster Congregational Committee who represent the regular worshipping community of the Church. teh development of Pastoral Care, Children's Minisrtry, Discipleship, Stewardship and Worship are all located under the wider umbrella of the Minster's COngregational life. Matters relating to the Choir, Girl Guides, Bell ringing, Sunday School, Mothers Union, Parent and Toddlers etc are also included here. I also meet regulary with our team of Wardens and Admin team who work tirelessly on a weekly basis to help keep the Minster Community alive - Thank You.

Training, Deanery and Diocesan Roles

As Minster Priest I attend Diocesan Training events and ministerial development days wherever possible, which enable me to remain stimulated in my work as well as providing useful contact and exchange of ideas with practitioners from elsewher. I have recently begun the Common Purpose Meridian training programme with leaders from private and public sector organisations, which will add value and develop my personal leadership abilities within the Church.

As a member of the Diocesan Board of Education, I have recently been involved in a Joint Diocesan Education Task group between Newcastle and Durham and assisted in the foundation of the Durham Sowing the Seeds project to enthuse work amongst children and young people across the Diocese.

In order to make helpful connections with the work of the Minster in the wider mission strategy of the Diocese, I am entering my third term on Durham Diocesan Synod. I sit on the Wearmouth Deanery Executive and chair its Parish-Schools Enabling group and in July 2010 the Deanery will host a Festival of Youth at Venerable Bede School and I am chairing and organsing that work. I have led an annual youth pilgrimage to Taize in France for the over 15's for the last 16years, and will share this work with York Diocese and the Archbishop of York this year for the third time. I am an ex-officio Governor and RE link at Benedict Biscop CE Primary school and have worked this year with the Headteacher to introduce a school confirmation class - 26 pupils and 3 staff.