The Very Reverend

Jane Hedges
Hedges in 2018
Other post(s)Canon Steward, Westminster Abbey (2006–2014)
Archdeacon of Westminster (2006–2009 & 2010–2014)
Dean of Norwich (2014–2022)
Acting Dean of Canterbury (2022)
Acting Dean of Newcastle (2023)
Orders
Ordination1987 (deacon)
1994 (priest)
Personal details
Born (1956-04-06) 6 April 1956
DenominationChurch of England
SpouseChris Hedges
Children2
Alma materDurham University

Jane Barbara Hedges (born 6 April 1956) is a British Anglican priest who served as Dean of Norwich from 2014 to 2022.[1] Considered a "trailblazer for women in the priesthood",[2] she was also acting Dean of Canterbury in 2022 and interim Dean of Newcastle in 2023.[3][4]

Early life and education

Hedges grew up in Hampshire and was educated at Sarisbury Secondary School, leaving at the age of 16. After a year of college, she began working as a junior bank clerk when she felt the call to ordination.[2]

She continued her education with a general studies degree at the University of Durham, where she was a member of St John's College, Durham, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1978.[5] She trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham from 1978 to 1980.[4]

Career

Hedges felt called to the priesthood since the age of 17, at a time when women were not allowed to become priests[2] She became made a deaconess in 1980 and, as Church of England laws on the ministry of women evolved, her career progressed with her ordination as deacon in 1987 and as priest in 1994.[4]

Hedges served as curate of the parish of Holy Trinity with St Columba in Fareham, Hampshire, from 1980 to 1983 and was a team vicar in Southampton from 1983 to 1988. In 1988 she became Stewardship Adviser in the Diocese of Portsmouth and in 1993 was appointed Canon Residentiary of Portsmouth Cathedral.

From 2001 she served in the team ministry of Honiton in the Diocese of Exeter, including as rural dean.[6] In 2006 she became Canon Steward of Westminster Abbey and Archdeacon of Westminster, and in 2013 she was appointed Sub-Dean of the Abbey. Her time there coincided with many notable events, including the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the state visit of Pope Benedict XVI and a memorial service for Nelson Mandela at which Desmond Tutu preached.[2]

As Dean

Hedges's installation as the Dean of Norwich was celebrated at a service held at Norwich Cathedral on 21 June 2014. She was the 39th Dean of Norwich and the first female Dean in the cathedral’s 900 year history.[7] Despite speculation that she might become a bishop,[8] Hedges continued in her role until in October 2021 she announced her intention to retire, effective 1 May 2022.[9]

On 8 May 2022, it was announced that she had been appointed Canon Residentiary of Canterbury Cathedral, and from June to December 2022 she served as acting Dean of Canterbury.[10] On 22 January 2023, she was installed as interim Dean of Newcastle,[3][11] a position she held until 14 October 2023.[12]

Family

Hedges is married to Chris Hedges, a teacher, and has two sons.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "First female Dean of Norwich appointed". Diocese of Norwich.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Mark Nicholls, "Jane Hedges: A trailblazer for women in the priesthood", Eastern Daily Press 16 April 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  3. 1 2 Diocese of Newcastle, Dean. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "The Very Revd Jane Barbara HEDGES BA (Hons), Hon PhD". Church of England Year Book. The Archbishops' Council. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "XXIV (ns) including supplement". Durham University Gazette. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "Jane Hedges to be Dean of Norwich". Thinking Anglican. 7 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Emma Knights, "New Dean of Norwich says Norfolk already feels like home", Eastern Daily Press, 20 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  8. ↑ Stanford, Peter (12 July 2014). "Will Jane Hedges be the C of E's first woman bishop?". Telegraph.
  9. ↑ Norwich Cathedral, "The Dean announces her retirement", 18 October 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "Canterbury appointment for Dean Jane". Norwich Cathedral. 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Appointment of Interim Dean of Newcastle". Diocese of Newcastle. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  12. ↑ Newcastle Cathedral, "Celebrating our new Dean, The Very Reverend Lee Batson", 14 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
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