The Bishop of Bangor has announced that the Very Revd Kathy Jones will leave her role as the Dean of Bangor, to take up a new role of Family Support Leader to Katharine House Hospice in Stafford.
Brought up in Corris, north of Machynlleth, Kathy began her theological formation at Cardiff University and furthered her training for ordained ministry at Queen’s College, Birmingham. She was ordained deacon at Bangor Cathedral in 1992 and priest in 1997.
She was a curate in the Rectorial Benefice of Holyhead, before moving to Bangor in 1994 to be Priest-in-charge of St. Peter’s Church, Penrhosgarnedd and Chaplain of Ysbyty Gwynedd. In 1999 Kathy moved to be Vicar of Betws y Coed, Dolwyddelan, Penmachno and Capel Curig, a post she held for seven years.
In 2006 Kathy moved back into the healthcare sector, becoming Lead Chaplain at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where she was responsible for managing a multi-faith team of 16 chaplains and 120 volunteers working throughout Northumberland and North Tyneside. She was also a Visiting Lecturer at Northumbria University, on the subjects of death and dying, spirituality at the end of life and communication skills in difficult situations.
On 19 September 2015, Kathy was announced as the next Dean of Bangor. On 30 January 2016, she was installed as the 57th Dean during a service in the Cathedral Church of Saint Deiniol, Bangor.
Bishop of Bangor, Andrew John, said: “Kathy is returning to the field of expertise from which we were able to recruit her as Dean in 2015. In her time as Dean, Kathy has enabled the Cathedral to become a place of welcome and hospitality.
“She has developed the inner life of the Cathedral with invention and creativity and won the respect of the wider community as well as the congregations within the Ministry Area of Bro Deiniol.
“She and Paul will be greatly missed, and we wish them every happiness in their life near Stafford.”
Regarding her new appointment, Kathy stated: “It is a great privilege to be invited to head up the family support team at Katharine House Hospice, supporting patients with life limiting conditions, and those close to them, to live life as fully as possible and make the most of the time that they have.
“Paul and I are grateful for all the love and support that we have received during my time as Dean. It has been an honour to serve the Cathedral, the city of Bangor, the diocese and the province, and to work with colleagues and friends. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area Team, to Bishop Andy and to the Bishop’s Council for their support, guidance and colleagueship during my time as Dean.”
Kathy’s final Sunday in Bangor will be 27 June. A service will take place at the Cathedral at 10.30am. Further details about the service will be circulated closer to the time and in light of government regulations about attendance at acts of worship.
