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- New Bishops of Selby and Whitby
Her Majesty the Queen has appointed the Venerable Paul John Ferguson,
Archdeacon of Cleveland, as the Suffragan Bishop of Whitby, and the
Reverend Canon Dr John Bromilow Thomson, Director of Ministry in the
Diocese of Sheffield, as the Suffragan Bishop of Selby.
On Friday
2nd May, the Bishops were welcomed to their new roles by the Archbishop
of York, Dr John Sentamu. They then visited their new Archdeaconries to
find out more about the work done by churches in the Diocese of York.
The
Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said, “I am delighted to be
welcoming the Revd Canon Dr John Thomson as Bishop of Selby and the
Venerable Paul Ferguson as Bishop of Whitby. These are exciting times
in the Diocese of York and I look forward to sharing with them what God
is doing in the life of our Diocese.
“John is currently Director of Ministry & Training in the Diocese of Sheffield and brings with him a wealth of experience in encouraging the People of God in Mission and Ministry. I am deeply encouraged by his longing to see lives transformed by an encounter with Jesus Christ, and look forward to his Episcopal ministry as we seek to grow as Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples.
“Paul is well known in this Diocese as the current Archdeacon of Cleveland and is a man of real commitment and godliness. I am delighted that he is willing to serve in this new role, and I pray that he will continue to encourage those in the Cleveland Archdeaconry, as well as people across the Diocese, to enable the Church to make a real difference in our communities.
“As part of their work, each Suffragan Bishop will have a specific area of responsibility across the Diocese. The Bishop of Whitby will be the Ambassador for Mission and Pastoral Measure Matters, and Ambassador for Schools. The Bishop of Selby will be Ambassador for Mission and Ministry, and Ambassador for Rural Life and Faith. The Bishop of Hull will be Ambassador for Urban Life and Faith, and Ambassador for Social Responsibility.
“As we build up the Body of Christ in this Diocese, I pray that we will all grow in Christlikeness, Commitment, Partnership, Influence and Numbers, and that the Church will joyfully welcome all in this wonderful part of England.”
The Ven Paul Ferguson said, “It’s a great honour to be asked to continue to serve in the Diocese or York in a new capacity, and I’m looking forward to the fresh responsibilities and opportunities that I shall have as Bishop of Whitby. Penny and I will value your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks and beyond.”
The Ven Paul Ferguson visited Holy Trinity Church, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, to meet with members of the church and hear about the good work the church is doing in the community, as they prepared for their Foodbank distribution on Friday afternoon.
The Revd Canon Dr John Thomson said, “I am honoured to be invited to join the Diocese of York as Bishop of Selby and am looking forward to serving Christ with you. Please pray for Sue and I as we lay down existing roles and prepare to move and take up our new life among you.”
The Revd Canon Dr John Thomson visited the community cafĂ© set up by the Edge Community Project in the Flaxley Road are of Selby. The cafe is in the Gypsy Moth pub, and people from across the community can come for a chat, help with finances, parenting advice and friendship. The Edge Community Project is run by St James Church, Selby, in conjunction with the Church Army. He then visited St Wilfred’s Church, Brayton, where members of The Zone children’s group will welcome John to his new Archdeaconry with some BBQ.
The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Stephen Croft said, “The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Stephen Croft said, “I am delighted to learn that John is to be the next Bishop of Selby. He is loved and respected across the Diocese of Sheffield and we will miss his sharp mind and gentle ministry. Our prayers are with John and Sue as they prepare for all that lies ahead. The Diocese of York will be richly blessed through John's ministry in the years to come."
John and Paul will be Consecrated on Thursday 3rd July 2014 at York Minster. John will succeed the Rt Revd Martin Wallace, who retired on 30th November 2013, and Paul will succeed the Rt Revd Martin Warner, who was announced as Bishop of Chichester on 2nd July 2012.
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Announcement of the new Bishops of Selby and Whitby, Bishopthorpe Palace Chapel
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Left to right - the Rt Revd Richard Frith, Bishop of Hull, the Ven Paul Ferguson, Archbishop Sentamu, the Revd Canon Dr John Thomson, the Rt Revd Glyn Webster, Bishop of Beverley
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Left to right: Paul and Penny Ferguson, Archbishop Sentamu, Sue and John Thomson
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John Thomson at the Edge Community Cafe at the Gypsy Moth pub, Selby
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John and Sue Thomson with members of The Zone youth group, St Wilfred's Church, Brayton. Back row: the Revd Richard Battersby, the Revd Pete Watson, the Ven Sarah Bullock.
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Paul Ferguson and Foodbank Volunteers at North Ormesby
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Paul Ferguson, Archbishop Sentamu, and John Thomson
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. His
interests include music, walking, and Scandinavian language and culture.