Celebrating Racial Justice Sunday 2025 at Lincoln Cathedral
On Sunday 9 February 2025, Lincoln Cathedral was filled with unity and hope as it hosted a special Choral Evening Prayer service dedicated to Racial Justice Sunday.
Read the storyOver 40 years of dedication
Andrew Gosling is the Assets and Trusts Manager for the Diocese of Lincoln, and has remained committed to the role since June 1981 – which amounts to nearly 44 years. He has chosen to retire in March (2025).
Andrew started as an assistant to the covenant giving office thanks to a Youth Training Programme, earning just £23.50 a week (about £92 in todays economy).
His dedication and knack for the job earned him a permanent position, where his responsibilities began to include managing trust funds. Today, Andrew oversees over 900 trust funds, which amounts to millions of pounds.
A Pillar of Edward King House
Andrew has been a constant presence at Edward King House, which is where his role has been based for the whole 44 years of his working life.
His other additional roles have included being a custodian trustee and PCC management trustee, and he even spent time on secondment at the Diocesan Registrar’s Office in the late 1990s to learn conveyancing and legal matters.
This ultimately inspired him to become a graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Despite a change in job titles over the years, Andrew has seen his responsibilities remain the same. Although there have been plenty of changes in technology, staff, clergy, and Bishops.
From manual to digital
Andrew fondly recalls the days before computers when physical letters and index cards were the norm in the Diocese. It was a common method of communication in his role.
He would send out forms with official stamps to recover income tax claims, and he remembers typists being employed to print text onto carbon paper. The stamp is still used today, but sadly no dedicated typists now exist.
He remembers the very first computer that the Diocese acquired, which was as large as a meeting room. A far cry from today’s slim yet sophisticated tech!
A thank you to PCC Treasurers
Throughout his career, Andrew has worked closely with PCC treasurers, whom he regards as the backbone of all our churches:
“I believe PCC Treasurers are the life and soul of the Diocese. Day in and day out, they selflessly volunteer their time to keep their church going. It’s been a pleasure to work with them.”
Andrew also extends his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported him over the years.
An unusual task
One of Andrew’s memorable moments was during the enthronement of The Rt Revd John Saxbee as Bishop of Lincoln.
Andrew was tasked with making sure Lincolnshire plumbread was available for the celebratory lunch, which meant visiting the plumbread factory itself and packing them up using his own two hands. That’s a pretty unique task for someone in his position.
Always staying active
Andrew has always enjoyed staying active. He was part of the clergy cricket team before COVID-19 and has run the London Marathon to raise funds for the Bishop of Lincoln’s Ready For School Fund.
He is a long-standing member of the Nettleham Running Club, Trotters. Andrew was even gifted a golf trolley to mark his 35 years of service.
An unforgettably long legacy
Andrew Gosling’s 44 years with the Diocese of Lincoln are a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for his work, which has supported so many churches to help them continue to serve their communities.
We would like to say a big thank you for his service to the Diocese. It really has been a journey to remember.