New Dean appointed

The Rev. Keith Joyce has been appointed by Bishop George Lemmon as Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, effective August 1, 1999. Official installation will take place during a service in the cathedral on September 12 at 7 p.m.

The Rev. Keith Joyce

The election of former Dean Bill Hockin as coadjutor bishop in March of last year, after less than two years as dean, was a blow to the cathedral congregation. Not only was he their priest and friend, he had instituted a new contemporary service that attracted an entirely new and mostly younger congregation of, for the most part, previously un-churched people. The selection committee from the congregation, which recommended Mr. Joyce's appointment, searched long and hard for someone they felt could sustain the advances made by Bishop Hockin and would be able to discern a vision of his own of what God was calling the cathedral to be and do.

"Bishop Hockin had started us along a positive path, especially with the service that appealed to people who were looking for a slightly less formal style of worship. Keith is committed to that service, he is also comfortable with the Prayer Book and the Book of Alternative Services, is very good with music and comfortable with young children and young families. I think his talent fit our needs," says Jim Morell, who chaired the selection committee.

Carolyn Howlett, a committee member, agrees. "The position needs not only administrative and leadership gifts, it also requires the ability to perceive the direction in which God is leading us. We believe Mr. Joyce has many spiritual gifts and will be able to discern the vision that God has for us, to cooperate with God and His people in bringing that vision to reality."

The appointment leaves the Parish of Hampton, where Mr. Joyce has been the rector for just over
two years, in the same position that the cathedral found itself last year. Not only was he their priest
and friend, he had drawn a number of new families to the church and had engaged the community in
regular prayer, praise and healing services.

Indeed, Hampton was the major hurdle that had to be cleared in his mind before Mr. Joyce could accept the cathedral position. He considered the impact of accepting the appointment on his parish almost before he considered its, impact on his family.

"We all love Hampton, it has been a very special place for us and we appreciate how much the people of Hampton have done for us. We have all been happy as members of the parish, as citizens of the town. We are not going to the cathedral to leave Hampton.

"The final decision was not a family vote, but the reactions of my wife and children to the possibility certainly influenced my decision - Aside from the issue of leaving Hampton, they were positive and excited. With my wife's clear support, I accepted the invitation to go for an interview."

Accepting a nomination for bishop, last year opened the door to consider ministry that would take him outside the parish, but it was a difficult and tumultuous time for his family. He had been strongly encouraged to run and decided to go through the process because he felt it was a matter of following God's leading. Nevertheless, a call from Bishop Hockin the day after his return from Baffin Island asking him to be interviewed for the position of dean still caught him off guard.

In the end, he accepted the position because he felt it was God's call for him to serve in this unique ministry.

Mr. Joyce moved to Hampton from the Diocese of Montreal in 1996. He holds a Mus. Bac. from the University of Toronto and m M.Div. from Trinity College. He was made a deacon at Saint James Cathedral in Toronto in 1982 and ordered priest at Saint Mary's, Richmond Hill later that year.

His background in music makes the cathedral appointment special.

" I love the sound of a good pipe organ, but really I like all music. It is not the style of music that is important, but the attitude of worship that goes along with it. I think the cathedral can encourage other diocesan musicians, and I am certainly looking forward to working with Michael Capon, the cathedral organist.

"In fact, I am looking forward to working with all the staff at the cathedral. John Harvey, the vicar at the cathedral, has carried a heavy load in the absence of a dean and I know the people there really appreciate his dedication."

Although he has only been in the Diocese of Fredericton for a little more than two years, Mr. Joyce has been very active at the diocesan level. He serves on Diocesan Council, chairs the Board of Programme and Clergy Conference Committee, serves on the Millennium and Companion Diocese committees and is diocesan chaplain for Mothers' Union. He plans to continue to serve in these capacities.

"I am interested in them all, but I must admit the one that is most important to me is Mother's Union. If I could only keep one of my present commitments, it would be that one. I believe in their work, but mostly they are a great bunch of people. I don't mean to say that I don't care about all the other committees; I do, but Mother's Union is special."

Uncertain as he is about what his diocesan duties as dean will entail and recognizing that being dean will be different from being a parish priest, he feels confident. "All our work is pastoral because we are dedicated to people and their spiritual development."