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Bishop John Stephens has named the Rev. Helen Dunn as the next Rector of St.Clement’s church in Lynn Valley, effective August 16. 

In her time as Vicar at Christ Church Cathedral, Helen has shown that she is a capable leader gifted with deep pastoral abilities, able to read and respond to the needs of the community quickly and effectively, and to build bridges between the parish and the wider community. It is these skills and abilities that led St. Clement’s and Bishop Stephens to call Helen as the next rector.. 

“I am happy for Helen as she moves forward in her vocation. I feel that through Helen’s journey we are sharing the Cathedral’s vision of radical inclusiveness and restless inquisitiveness with the wider diocese,” said Dean Christopher A. Pappas.  


In response to the appointment Helen said, “The people of Christ Church Cathedral have been and will remain some of my greatest teachers, mentors, and friends.  I give thanks to God for our time together. The Cathedral will always have a special place in my heart.”


July 18 will be Helen’s final Sunday at the Cathedral. In the weeks ahead details will be shared about how the parish will celebrate Helen’s ministry. 


Helen has provided pastoral care and chaplaincy to several ministries at the Cathedral. After her departure in July, Cathedral clergy will take over these roles previously filled by Helen. Among them, the Rev. Jonathan Pinkney will take over the Children, Youth & Families ministries while the Rev. Alisdair Smith will become chaplain to the Choir and The Rev. Marnie Peterson will work with TRCircle. The chaplains for other ministries Helen was involved with will be announced in the days ahead. 


Next Steps 


This appointment will leave the Cathedral with a vacancy on its clergy team. The Dean intends to appoint an interim priest to serve as an assistant priest until the position can be posted and filled permanently. To learn more about what this involves, please come to the Parish Check-In on May 26. Dean Chris will outline in detail what to expect as the Cathedral seeks to fill this position.