It has today been announced that the new Dean of Sheffield in the Anglican Diocese of Sheffield will be the Revd Canon Abigail Thompson.
The Dean is the chief resident cleric of Sheffield Cathedral, also undertaking diocesan and civic duties in the city and across the wider area.
Abigail, or Abi as she is known, has been in the Diocese of St Albans since February 2018 where she is currently the Acting Dean and Sub-Dean of St Albans Cathedral.
Speaking ahead of the public announcement, Abi said:
“Sheffield Cathedral is the place where I was ordained deacon in 2006 and I got married here in 2010. I’ve made vows here, I’ve wept into the stone floor, I’ve rejoiced here and I’ve lit candles here for people I have loved and lost. I share these very personal connections with you because I know that I am only one of thousands of people who have experienced the deepest of emotions and sought sanctuary within these old walls. Sheffield Cathedral is a holy place because of the people who have come here to find peace, to pray, to worship and to seek the true and living God. I am blessed and honoured and totally thrilled that this is the place where I will soon daily say my prayers and get to love and serve the people of this great city, this wonderful Cathedral and the whole Diocese of Sheffield.”
The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield also commented:
“I am delighted to welcome the Revd Canon Abi Thompson to be the next Dean of Sheffield. As those of us who know both her and who know the needs of the Cathedral and Diocese will immediately be able to see, Abi has exactly the blend of character and gifts to rise to the challenges and to make the most of the opportunities that we face. Having served previously in this Diocese until 2018, Abi knows our local communities well, from Sheffield to Goole, from Rotherham to Barnsley. So, she will be able to hit the ground running. I look forward very much to the coming months and years, confident that Abi will greatly enrich us and will help us to mobilise the whole people of God still more effectively for the whole mission of God, so that we can serve our city and region in the name of Jesus Christ and for the sake of the coming Kingdom of God. This is an outstanding appointment.”
The Revd Canon Geoffrey Harbord is currently the Acting Dean of Sheffield, he welcomed the news, saying:
“The whole Cathedral community will be delighted to welcome the appointment of Abi Thompson as the new Dean of Sheffield. Her long experience of the Diocese of Sheffield together with her more recent ministry in a cathedral setting at St Albans mean that she is very well placed to lead the Cathedral in the vital tasks of renewing and re-vitalising its ministry both to the city of Sheffield and to the wider diocese. We will all very much look forward to her arrival here.”
Abi will be a familiar face to many in the Diocese of Sheffield. Prior to her move to St Albans, she was the vicar of St James, Clifton in Rotherham from 2010 to 2018. Abi also served on the Bishop of Sheffield’s Senior Staff Team as the Dean of Women’s Ministry from 2015 to 2018.
She graduated in Music at Kings College London and in Theology at Westcott House Cambridge. Abi holds both ABRSM Grade 8 Piano and ABRSM Grade 8 Singing and before ordination was a youth worker and freelance professional singer.
Abi was ordained a Priest in 2007, serving her curacy at Sheffield Manor Parish.
The Rt Revd Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans said:
“Abi Thompson has been a superb Sub Dean of St Albans Cathedral over the past three years and we are sad to see her return to the north. Her shining faith, warm friendship and infectious humour has endeared her to many people here in the Cathedral and in the diocese. She goes with our love and prayers.”
It is hoped that Abi will be installed to her new role in a service at Sheffield Cathedral in October 2021. The date will be confirmed shortly.
Abi has time on Wednesday 30 June to do interviews with local media representatives, please contact LJ.Buxton@sheffield.anglican.org to organise (07547 854911).