The Dean of Blackburn, The Very Rev. Peter Howell-Jones has been leading a review of the work of our Cathedral in Blackburn. The outcome is a new Strategic Plan for 2019-2024 and an update to the Cathedral’s image, in printed materials and online, including a refreshed logo. The Dean writes about the work to reach this point … 

The story of Blackburn Cathedral brings together almost 1500 years of Christian worship on its current site.

It’s a story of faith lived out in the lives of Lancashire people who have chosen to put Jesus at the heart of their community; of change and ambition, of hard work and dedication, of trust and hope. And it’s a story still evolving and transforming our community and the lives of the people we encounter.

During the last five years the Cathedral has been at the heart of significant development and change to the Blackburn landscape. Cathedral Court has been a remarkable achievement, opening up new and varied opportunities for mission and ministry. 

We have seen the comings and going of staff and clergy colleagues and change within our governance structure.  We have welcomed many new faces to our Sunday and mid-week worship and have worked in partnership with organisations across the borough and Diocese. We have much to be thankful for, but much still to do.

The launch of our Strategic Plan is another significant moment in the life of our community.  We seek to build on our history as we keep on telling the story of Jesus and helping people to encounter God afresh through worship and service to the wider community; and in ways that are meaningful and have relevance in our world today.

As the Cathedral and the Diocese of Blackburn approach 100 years of faithful witness across Lancashire, the story continues.

We felt it was important our strategy builds on the firm foundation of Vision 2026 and our purpose is clear: In telling the story of Jesus, we seek to help people encounter God through worship and service to the community. To help achieve this, we have identified seven focus areas, each with their own set of objectives. 

Through confident proclamation, abundant joy and costly love we are committed to building the Christian community at Blackburn Cathedral and engaging more effectively across our town, the County and the Diocese. 

It’s an exciting moment and we are looking forward to what the future holds as the next phase of our story unfolds.

To read more about our plans … take a look at the full document which is available on the Blackburn Cathedral website. 

Ronnie Semley, October 2019