Dean Peter Beck Resigns

The following message was conveyed to the Cathedral Regulars by Dean Peter Beck.

8 December 2011
To the Cathedral Community
Dear friends
After nine years at the helm [literally to the day], I am writing to let you know that I am
standing down as Dean of Christchurch. The Bishop has received my letter of resignation
giving three months’ notice. I am trusting this information to you, knowing you will keep it
confidential until a media release on Friday morning.
It is time to pass the baton on to a new dean to lead the next phase in the project to build a
new and wonderful cathedral, which will honour our heritage and build for the future.
It has been an immense privilege to have been the Dean of Christchurch. For me it has
been the best job in this Church. I have deeply appreciated all of you and how you and the
fantastic staff team and Cathedral Chapter have all worked so hard with me to continue
the living heritage, mission and ministry of the Cathedral for the Diocese and the city and
province. We have lived through some very happy and very sad times together and there
are many, many memories to cherish. The unique relationship that the Cathedral has with
the city and the iconic role it plays is something that has been very humbling for me, and a
responsibility which I know you relish as we have sought to live out our Christian ministry.
Long may it continue.
Gay and I will not be disappearing from Christchurch. We love living here and are
committed to continuing to play our part in the recovery of the city. So I will be standing as
an independent candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the Burwood-Pegasus ward of
the City Council. If the electors are willing, I’d really like to continue to serve them and the
wider city community as a city councillor.
This has not been an easy decision for me to make, but it is a prayer-filled one and one
that I know to be the right one.
There’s going to be lots to do and lots to say to each other and pray with each other over
the next three months. May God bless us all as we journey on.

Peter

Dean of Christchurch