Reverend Jason Rendell leaves St Paul's after six years
Today at the Cathedral View More
Cathedral closed until further notice
After six years of dedicated service, including playing a leading role in the smooth-running of high-profile services, the Reverend Jason Rendell is to leave St Paul's.
Jason, the Cathedral's Sacrist, is one of three Minor Canons at St Paul's, whose responsibility it is to co-ordinate the daily liturgy and ceremonial. He will leave at the end of June to become Assistant Chaplain to the Right Reverend Martin Warner, Bishop of Chichester.
At St Paul's, Jason has been a leading figure in the organisation of some of the most visible services of recent times, including the Service of Thanksgiving for HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and this year's funeral of Baroness Thatcher. On both occasions he helped to create the liturgy and ensure every aspect of the ceremonies ran without fault.
As Sacrist, he has worked closely with the Cathedral Virgers, volunteer servers and Lay Communion Assistants, and has presided over hundreds of weddings and baptisms.
Jason said: "It's been a huge privilege to share in the ministry of St Paul's, both in its daily life and everything else which fits around it. I have much to give thanks for during my time here, but above all for the friendship and support which I have received along with the many opportunities of meeting people. It is this that has been a great source of strength and encouragement, and has enabled everything else a Minor Canon is called upon to do, to fall into place for me."
Jason came to St Paul's in June 2007, after serving as the Bishop of Stepney's PA and Chaplain for the previous three years. Prior to that he was a Franciscan Friar for thirteen years with the Society of Saint Francis, gaining much experience, developing many new skills and working in parish ministry in Liverpool and London.
Originally from Newport in South Wales, he first trained in the catering industry before studying in Durham.
The Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Precentor, said: "Everyone at St Paul's will feel a great loss at Jason's departure, having served God in this place, faithfully and skilfully, for six years.
"We congratulate Jason on this splendid appointment at Chichester, which will use his gifts and talents to the full."