A special service to welcome our diocese's new Director of Ministry and Mission, the Revd Phil Cansdale, was held at Manchester Cathedral on Sunday evening. The event was an opportunity for those gathered to pray for Phil and his family as he takes on the role of championing all aspects of mission in the diocese, and providing oversight of the development of our lay and ordained leaders.
Revd Phil preached the sermon, Canon Grace Thomas led the prayers of intercession, while the lessons were read by Kim Morgan-Jones, Head of Lay Development, and Barney Cansdale, Phil's son. During the service, Bishop David welcomed Revd Phil to our diocesan family and prayed that his ministry would be richly blessed.
The evening was attended by friends, supporters and colleagues, all of whom gathered to worship, to support Phil and to look forward to the work that lies ahead.
Before moving to Manchester Diocese, Phil served as Vicar of Trinity Churches in Shrewsbury, within the Diocese of Lichfield, since 2009. During his time there, he also held the position of Area Dean, contributed to National Church projects, and, as Phil describes it, “endured the ups and downs of being chaplain at the mighty Shrewsbury Town Football Club.”
Born in Bristol, Phil’s journey to Manchester has brought him via Pakistan, Oxford, Canterbury, Wolverhampton, and most recently Shropshire. After spending some time on the team of staff at St Aldate’s Oxford, he was ordained in 1999, and served his curacy in a city-centre church with a particular emphasis on training young adults. He then served for seven years as vicar in the Black Country, which gave Phil experience of families and community ministry on a vibrant outer-suburban estate.
Phil is married to Tracey, and has three young adult children, Lottie, Hamish and Barney (pictured above). Tracey has recently taken on the role of Headteacher at St John’s CE Primary School in Radcliffe. Phil is based at St John's House in Bury and can be contacted at philcansdale@manchester.anglican.org.