The Chapter of St Paul's has now grown to seven members after a special service of Evensong held on Shrove
Tuesday.
The Cathedral's governing body welcomed the Reverend Tricia Hillas as Canon Pastor and Pim Baxter as a Lay Canon.
The Collation of Canon Tricia as a Residential Canon and the Commissioning of Pim into the Lay Canonry is a legal requirement, but the formalities,
led by the Dean and Bishop of London, proved a joyous affair for both Tricia and Pim, who had many friends, family and well-wishers in
attendance.
VIEW FULL IMAGES FROM THE SERVICE
The Very Reverend David Ison, Dean, preached at the service, welcoming both Tricia and Pim to the Chapter and wider Cathedral community. He said:
"All of us stand before God as human beings, charged with the task of using our gifts, talents and experience to further the work of God in the
world; all of us are required to give account of how we have or have not loved God and our neighbour. Some of us do churchy stuff and some of us do
other stuff: but all the stuff is of concern to God, and is judged not by how religious it is but by how just and compassionate and truthful it is.
And what a delight it is this evening to welcome Pim and Tricia to remind us of that reality."
READ THE DEAN'S FULL SERMON
Before becoming Canon Pastor, Tricia was Vicar of St Barnabas in Northolt and formerly the Sub-Dean for
Northolt, Perivale and Greenford. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Tricia trained as a social worker, before ordination in 2002. She has worked in the
Diocese of London since then. Recently, she has completed her MSc in conflict resolution and mediation.
Married to Andrew, Tricia loves adventure travelling and experiencing new people and cultures. In recent years she has trekked to Everest Base
camp and made an assault on Kilimanjaro. When not on world-wide adventures she can regularly be spotted at Vicarage Road, supporting her
beloved Watford FC.
As Canon Pastor, Tricia will oversee the welfare and training of all people at St Paul’s, with a specific focus on marketing, enterprises,
communications, HR and development. She will lead the pastoral mission and develop relationships and chaplaincy-style support for regular
worshippers and people of Christian faith across London.
Pim, who is Deputy Director at the National Portrait Gallery is a highly experienced arts manager,
having worked in opera, theatre and the visual arts. With an extensive knowledge of senior management and team-leading, her roles have included
fundraising and sponsorship, communications, audience development, event management and project management.
As well as heading up the National Portrait Gallery's communications, development and human resources teams – a role which will not change as a
result of her appointment as a Lay Canon - Pim is also Secretary to the Board of Trustees. She previously worked at the National Theatre in
both marketing and development.
As a Lay Canon, she will be a full member of Chapter and will share in the governance and oversight of the Cathedral’s work and worship. Lay
Canons work part-time and do not normally have executive responsibility, but bring much experience and expertise which is vital to helping
shape and implement the policy of Chapter.
Pim worships at St Mary’s Church, Eastling, where her husband, Andrew, is the organist. Over the years she has been involved in many aspects of
church and village life.
The Chapter of St Paul's (from left - right in the attached
image)
The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley, Chancellor
Gavin Ralston, Lay Canon
Pim Baxter, Lay Canon
The Very Reverend David Ison, Dean
The Reverend Canon Tricia Hillas, Pastor
The Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Precentor
The Reverend Canon Philippa Boardman, Treasurer
