Five people from different churches across the diocese are to be awarded the Aldhelm Cross Award this weekend (30 October) for going far beyond what is expected in their contribution to life of the diocese.
The St Aldhelm Award was established in 2005, in honour of the Anglo-Saxon Bishop who was instrumental in bringing Christianity to our part of England.
This year, recipients are Susan and Trevor Branch, Michael Bowyer, Debbie McIsaac, Paul Sutcliffe, and John Waldsax.
Susan Branch, Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Administrator, works with her husband Trevor to organize the hospitality offered to those visiting the cathedral on diocesan occasions like the Easter Dawn Liturgy or Confirmation Ceremonies.
Susan said: “It’s something I have always enjoyed doing. It's a part of me. I just love being with people, and really enjoy making sure they're happy. If it's over a cup of tea, or whether it's putting a flower in an arrangement.”
Having joined the service team when the pair moved to Salisbury in 1987, Trevor Branch has been a much-valued member of the Cathedral community ever since and quickly found himself in the position of Head Server. As a Head Server, he is responsible for supervising the ceremonial and liturgical aspects of the Cathedral services.
Trevor said: “I take great delight in building a team of servers and any service that takes place. There are a lot of people out there who learned how to serve because of me, and they come back after university and they tell me they’ve been serving whilst away. So in a lot of ways, we’ve had some great results.”
Michael Bowyer, in his role as Creative Director of Flowers at Salisbury Cathedral, has made many powerful contributions to the life of the diocese and those around him. His work has enhanced the beauty of the Cathedral as a place of worship and he has been responsible for many major flower festivals, including this year's ‘Festival of Flowers’, and the Cathedral's 800th Anniversary.
Debbie McIsaac is a Licensed Lay Minister and Lay Chair of Alderbury Deanery. She has represented lay people in the diocese in several capacities, and has been awarded a Cross of St Aldhelm for this work and for her contribution to the diocese as a member of House of Laity of General Synod, Diocesan Synod, and Bishop's Council. Debbie’s careful study of the issues, attention to detail and wisdom in these forums are a huge contribution to helping ensure that there is proper governance and that decisions are properly taken and for good reason. On hearing about her award, Debbie said that she was very honoured to receive it.
Paul Sutcliffe’s contribution to diocesan life has been carried out mostly unseen, but certainly no less important. Paul is a member of the Diocesan Wellbeing Group who, in 2008, carried out a survey of ordained clergy within the diocese in an effort to establish their levels of well-being whilst also assessing what factors have been influencing this for better or for worse. The survey was taken again in 2012, 2016, and 2020 to remain on top of this pertinent issue and attempt to ensure the well-being of all, including our clergy.
Paul has been largely responsible for the design of the survey and then for the skilled and painstaking analysis of their results which has contributed to a positive uptick in the well-being of clergy and in turn, the ministry they provide to those in their care.
Paul said: "I had spent the whole of my professional life as a civil servant, working as a scientist in the Ministry of Defence, so the idea of public service is well engrained in my psyche. However, I must admit that what I enjoy most in the various tasks I have taken on is that they are inherently very interesting and hopefully help someone. In particular, the work on the well-being survey has been intellectually challenging, the results have been fascinating and, I hope, have helped the diocese to develop its strategy for clergy well-being - a topic which I believe to be very important. My work as an inspector of ministry training brought me into contact with a wide range of very committed people, which I found to be inspiring.
"I am very grateful to have had all the opportunities of doing things that I had not anticipated, but which have been both enjoyable, stimulating and perhaps helpful to others."
John Waldsax has been serving in a number of roles in his local parish and many other churches, bringing his diplomatic and scientific business mind to aid to churches who need managerial support the most. His leadership skills were recognised from the outset, and John served under a succession of Archdeacons for whom he undertook a number of discreet, difficult, and often time-consuming projects for the diocese on a voluntary bases.
During his time, John has also served the various boards and committees of the Diocesan Board of Finance, most notably the Board of Patronage. His work within the finance committee of the Diocesan Board of Education has also been exemplary, playing a large role in shaping its development during its formative years and committing to serving schools across the diocese.
When asked what drives his faithful service to the diocese, John said: “I’ve always felt that the Church should somehow make the time and engage people to build the Kingdom of God in their Church, in their parish, in their place.
"Whether it’s talking to their friend over the garden fence, or whether it’s getting engaged with community services and volunteer support… It’s really just out of love for wanting to grow God’s Kingdom, and to share my gifts with others.”
We continue to pray and be thankful for Susan and Trevor Branch, Michael Bowyer, Debbie McIsaac, Paul Sutcliffe, and John Waldsax in their continued generosity to the diocese. We are equally grateful to the many other individuals within the diocese who have given their time and skills to help grow God's Kingdom - here and now.