Members of Deanery Synods representing the 21 Deaneries that make up the Diocese of York came together on Saturday 23rd September for a celebratory choral evensong at the Mother Church of the Diocese where Archbishop Sentamu commissioned and anointed the leaders of our newly-formed Deanery Leadership Teams.

The service at York Minster committed to God the new structures and redefined purpose of our Deaneries as "networks of churches in each locality, inspiring, influencing and leading mission and ministry," which is the outcome of the work undertaken by the Deanery Development Group set up by Diocesan Synod.

Before the anointing the Archbishop prayed:

We give you thanks
that by your grace you have called these your servants
to serve within the Deaneries of this Diocese.

We commend them to you now
as we commission them for the work to which they have been called.

Send your Holy Spirit upon them
that their hearts may be set on fire with love for you
and for those whom they serve.

Make them pure in heart
as those who have the mind of Christ.
Give them vision to discern your purpose
for the Church and for the world you love.

Keep them faithful to the end in all their service,
that, when the chief shepherd appears,
they may receive the unfading crown of everlasting glory.

Amen