On Friday 24 March 2023 the Revd Canon Dr Simon Jones was installed as the Interim Dean of Lincoln at Lincoln Cathedral during Evensong. The service was officiated by the Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely and Acting Bishop of Lincoln. 

Alongside Simon, the Revd Mark Warrick, who was recently appointed as Minister in Charge of Stamford Baron St Martin, took his place within the College of Canons as the non-residentiary prebendary of Sanctae Crucis. 

Before the service, the new canons made the appropriate declarations and oaths before the Bishop and the Residentiary Canons at the Shrine of St Hugh in the retrochoir of the Cathedral. 

They were then presented to the Revd Canon Nick Brown, Precentor and Subdean of Lincoln, who asked to admit, install and induct them into a prebend and canonry of the Cathedral Church. 

Bishop Stephen said: “I am delighted to welcome Simon as Interim Dean at the Cathedral. He has considerable pastoral and liturgical gifts to bring to the role, as the Chapter continues to shape the Cathedral’s ministry and mission. We are grateful to Merton College, Oxford, for releasing Simon until Christmas. 

“It is also good warmly to acknowledge Mark’s faithful ministry in the diocese and, particularly, his readiness to come out of retirement to care for St Martin’s, Stamford.” 

The Revd Canon Dr Simon Jones said: “I am very much looking forward to working with staff and volunteers at the cathedral, and hope that during this next chapter in the Cathedral’s history we can enable more and more people to share our passion for this amazing place and what we do here.” 

With the support of the Chapter, the Bishop has appointed Simon as Interim Dean for nine months until Christmas Day 2023, while the process of appointing a permanent Dean takes place following the retirement of the Very Revd Christine Wilson in February. After Christmas, Simon will resume his ministry as Chaplain and Fellow of Merton College, Oxford. 

Simon also chairs the board of the charitable company Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd, and is also chair of the Steering Committee of the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation. He is an Honorary Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and a Wiccamical Prebendary (Honorary Canon Theologian) of Chichester Cathedral.