The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane, The Dean of Lichfield visits Shropshire

HM Lord-Lieutenant hosted The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane, Dean of Lichfield, who oversees the work of Lichfield Cathedral, for a whistle stop tour of Shropshire which is one of the three counties with parts within the Diocese of Lichfield.

They visited three churches in different settings and shared lunch with Canon Christopher Matthews, Dean of Shrewsbury Cathedral.  Christ Church, Wellington and Holy Trinity, Hadley work together as one parish serving their local area in Telford; Shrewsbury Abbey is the host for Lieutenancy Service; and St Mary’s Duddleston occupies a beautiful setting only 1 mile from the Welsh Border at the western edge of the Diocese.   The Lord-Lieutenant and Dean were warmly welcomed everywhere and had the chance to discuss the links each parish has with Lichfield Cathedral and how these can be strengthened.  They also enjoyed some very delicious cakes!

HM Lord-Lieutenant said  ‘I am delighted Dean Jan accepted our invitation to come to some of the churches in the furthest points of the Diocese and to learn about the joys and challenges each experience.’

The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane said ‘As Dean of Lichfield, I am passionate that the Cathedral should fulfil its role as the mother church of the whole Diocese in very practical ways. It has been encouraging to hear how we might encourage visits and pilgrimages to Lichfield Cathedral and how we could bring the ministry of the Cathedral out to the parishes.’