A farewell reflection from Canon Andy

The Revd Canon Andy Bryant shares a reflection as he says a fond farewell to Norwich Cathedral after 10 years as the Cathedral's Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care.

"How did someone like me end up being invited to minister in a place like this? It is a question I have often asked myself over the last ten years. All I know is that it has been the privilege of my priesthood to be allowed to serve in this place.

Just two days after beginning my ministry here I was walking through the Cloister, and looking up at the spire, and I knew I was in trouble. I realised I had already lost my heart to this amazing building, and I knew then, and what I can confirm now is true, leaving here would be very, very hard.

It is perhaps inevitable that I will forever be associated with a helter skelter and Dippy the dinosaur, and those were amazing times. But there are many even more special memories. The simple but powerful evangelism of working with the hand massage team at the Royal Norfolk Show and outside The Forum on Good Friday. The poignancy of being on my knees in the Nave adding a cross for each life lost to Covid-19 in Norfolk as the numbers continued to rise. The tears and raw honesty of the annual services with the Matthew Project and TimeNorfolk. Being alongside families in moments of joy at weddings and moments of sorrow at funerals.

My time here has been in three major phases. Life pre-Covid when living was simpler and easier. The pandemic and the slow emergence from lockdowns; its scarring exposing the fragility of human existence. My own life and ministry upended by my wife’s stroke; everything changed in an instant and forever. If one is going to have to live through both a global and a personal emergency there is no better, or more loving, place in which to endure such things.

For through each and all of these times, I have been sustained by the wonderful Cathedral Community. Over 500 volunteers whose commitment and generous gift of time and energy to the Cathedral is breath-taking. The worshipping congregation whose faithfulness and quiet devotion is deeply humbling. An amazing staff team, across all departments, loyal and hardworking, and for whose support I will always be profoundly grateful. My Chapter colleagues have been a steadying and encouraging hand on the tiller of this great institution, and my clergy colleagues – simply the best – it has been a deep privilege to have the best colleagues you could wish for.

A myriad of memories: the stillness of the building first thing in the morning, sunlight streaming through the clouds of incense, rainbow colours dappling these prayer-soaked walls from the stained glass. But above all, the daily pattern of worship. High-days and holidays have their own beauty, but it has been the day by day offering of Morning Prayer, the Eucharist and Evensong that I will forever treasure. And especially the heavenly music: a chant bringing fresh life to the ancient word of the psalms, the familiarity of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis re-presented in the changing settings, and anthems to heal and restore the soul. A single chord, a particular run of notes, that in an instant bring earth to heaven and heaven to earth.

Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace… I leave conscious of the great privilege it has been to minister in this place, in such a setting and amidst so supportive a community. I turn to a new chapter of life with enormous gratitude for all that has been, but knowing that a little of my heart will always remain beneath this soaring spire."