Letter from the Bishop: Staff Updates
July 24, 2022
To the People of St James Cathedral,
Dear Friends,
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
On this Patronal festival of St. James, we have reason to celebrate and to give thanks for 225 years of ministry and mission in the heart of the city and throughout the Diocese. For more than two centuries this community has proclaimed with compassion and with action the love of God. We have occasion to look back and to look forward.
We are in the midst of a season of change.
I am deeply grateful for the rich and faithful ministry of the Very Rev’d Stephen Vail as Rector of this Cathedral Church of St. James and as Dean of Toronto. As you know, he indicated in January his intention to retire as Rector and Dean in September. We look forward to celebrating with thanksgiving Dean Vail’s ministry on Sunday, September 11th.
A process has begun under my direction to search for a successor. The Cathedral’s Selection Committee is working prayerfully and carefully. You are being well served by your committee and I thank them for their hard work to date.
In order to continue to nurture and support ministry during this time of transition, I am delighted to appoint the Very Rev’d Peter Wall as the Interim Dean & Priest in Charge on a ¾ time basis. Peter served as the Dean of the Diocese of Niagara and the Rector of Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton from 1998 to 2019. He has served on numerous committees and councils of the church throughout his ministry including Faith Worship and Ministry and the Council of General Synod. He brings with him a wealth of experience, a pastoral heart and a preacher’s wisdom. He begins
ministry with you on October 15th.
I am also appointing the Rev’d Canon Beth Benson as Interim Associate Priest on a half-time basis to assist in pastoral care and liturgical leadership. Beth’s ministry at the Cathedral is already deeply appreciated in her capacity as an Honorary Assistant and her willingness to expand her time will be even more precious.
Along with the wonderful leadership of our Sub-Dean and Vicar, the Rev’d Canon Dr. Stephen Fields, who keeps day to day ministry moving with grace and purpose, the people of St. James will be served very well by this clergy team.
On a different note, I also announce that the Rev. Claire Latimer-Dennis has accepted the position of Chaplain at Bishop Strachan School beginning in September. I am sure that this news will be received with some sadness and disappointment. Claire has served the Cathedral well over the last 15 months as the Assistant Curate. Her considerable gifts and pastoral leadership will be missed. Claire will continue to be present on a Sunday-by-Sunday basis until November.
I ask your prayers for Peter, for Beth, and for Claire, and for their families, and for the people of this Cathedral.
As the summer unfolds, may you also find time for rest and refreshment. Every blessing to each of you.
Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend Andrew J. Asbil
Bishop of Toronto
