The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said, “Consecrations are
always special services, and it is splendid when two or three Bishops
are consecrated to serve in one diocese - like I was consecrated Bishop
with two others to serve in the Diocese of London in 1996. John and Paul
will bring unique gifts to advance the mission of Generous Churches
Making and Nurturing Disciples. They will join a united team and help
our churches make a real difference in our communities, as lives are
transformed by an encounter with Jesus Christ. These are very exciting
times in the Diocese of York as we mutually resource one another to
build up the Body of Christ, to grow in Christlikeness, commitment,
partnership, influence and numbers”.
The Ven Paul Ferguson said,
“I’ve lived in Cleveland for the last thirteen years, and we’ll be
celebrating the craft and industry of the region at the service. I’ve
commissioned a new Bishop’s cross, ring and staff, and I’ll be wearing
and carrying them for the first time at the consecration. The cross has
been made by the Tata Steel Works in Redcar. The ring, by the
silversmith Caroline Lang from Nunnington, shows an ammonite, the emblem
of St Hilda of Whitby, surrounded by the four arms of a cross. The
staff has been made by Gordon Flintoft, the award winning stick maker
from Glaisdale, from a hazel stem and horn shepherd’s crook handle. “
The
Revd Canon Dr John Thomson said, “I am delighted to be consecrated by
Archbishop Sentamu, especially as twelve years of my childhood were
spent in Uganda. There will also be friends from South Africa,
Sheffield, and other places I’ve lived in the UK. There will be a
family feel to the service, as my daughter, Anya Faull, my son in law,
Jonny Faull and their friend, Dom White - all professional musicians -
will be contributing music during the service.”
Following the
Consecrations at York Minster, the Bishops will be welcomed at a special
service in each of their new Archdeaconries. The service to welcome
the Revd Dr John Thomson as the Bishop of Selby will take place in Selby
Abbey at 11am on Saturday 5th July. And the service to welcome the Ven
Paul Ferguson as Bishop of Whitby will take place in St Hilda's Church,
Whitby, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 8th July.
John Thomson succeeds the
Rt Revd Martin Wallace, who retired on 30th November 2013, and Paul
Ferguson succeeds the Rt Revd Martin Warner, who was announced as Bishop
of Chichester on 2nd July 2012.
The Revd Canon Dr John Thomson
(aged 54), studied at York University and then trained for the ministry
at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his curacy at Ecclesall, in the
Diocese of Sheffield from 1985 to 1989. From 1989 to 1992 he went to
South Africa to be a Tutor at Saint Paul’s College, Grahamstown and from
1990 to 1992 was also an Assistant Priest at St Bartholomew,
Grahamstown and from 1991-1992 an Assistant Lecturer at Rhodes
University. From 1993 to 2001 he was Vicar of St Mary Doncaster, in the
Diocese of Sheffield and did his PhD at Nottingham University. Since
2001 he has been Director of Ministry in the Diocese of Sheffield and an
Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral.
John was brought up in
Uganda, is married to Susan and they have two adult children. His
interests include cycling, choral singing, cooking and gardening. His
published work explores the calling of the Church today in conversation
with the Theological Ethicist, Stanley Hauerwas.
The Ven Paul
Ferguson (aged 58), was educated at New College, Oxford, and then King’s
College, Cambridge, and trained for the ministry at Westcott House,
Cambridge. He served his curacy at Chester Saint Mary from 1985 to 1988
in the Diocese of Chester. From 1988 to 1992 he was Sacrist and Chaplain
at Westminster Abbey, and Precentor from 1992 to 1995. From 1995 to
2001 he was Canon Residentiary and Precentor at York Minster in the
Diocese of York. Since 2001 he has been Archdeacon of Cleveland and a
member of the College of Canons of York. He is Warden of Readers for the
Diocese of York, and a member of the Church of England’s Porvoo Panel
which oversees links with the Scandinavian and Baltic Lutheran churches.
He is author of Great is the Mystery of Faith: exploring faith through
the words of worship (Canterbury Press).
Paul is married to
Penny, who is Tees Valley Music Service’s co-ordinator for Redcar and
Cleveland, and they have three grown-up children, Matthew (married to
Christine), Julia and Anthony. His interests include music, walking,
and Scandinavian language and culture. Paul is a Fellow of the Royal
College of Organists, and it is believed he may be the first Fellow in
its 150-year history to become a Bishop.