A Service of Thanksgiving and Holy Communion took place at York Minster this week, celebrating the Mustard Seed ‘Stepping Up’ programme and Community Ministers from across the Diocese of York.
The service was led by Bishop Eleanor Sanderson, and the guest preacher was Bishop Alison White who initiated the Mustard Seed programme during her time as Bishop of Hull.
Mustard Seed launched in 2020 with the vision of “growing disciples in places where life is tough”. Developed in collaboration with clergy and lay people in low-income communities in Middlesbrough, Hull, and coastal towns such as Scarborough and Bridlington, the programme has seen more than 130 people from over 40 churches step up to help their communities flourish.
In these areas, churches are becoming younger and more representative of the communities they serve, while welcoming new people to Sunday services. Across the diocese, 16 New Worshipping Communities have emerged.
The service also saw Bishop Eleanor Sanderson licence Heather Black as a Lay Worker in her new role as Growing Churches of Missional Disciples Lead for the diocese.
As part of the Mission, Ministry, and Discipleship Team, this role will lead the diocese’s work on missional discipleship. It will build on the current Mustard Seed programme, support new worshipping communities, church planting and revitalisation, lay pioneers, and help embed a culture of missional discipleship across the diocese.
Bishop Eleanor shared: “It has been one of my greatest joys to serve our Mustard Seed community since joining the Diocese of York. I am always humbled by the faith, hope and love of our Mustard Seed community ministers and those who choose to ‘Step Up’. This celebration is a moment of great joy to honour all that has grown from these first seeds and to look ahead and offer to God all that is still to come!”
Director of Mission, Ministry, Mark Carey, said: “I have gained much from Mustard Seed in parish ministry and now, am looking forward to the next season of Mustard Seed influence as Heather takes up her new role in my team. Heather comes with great wisdom and fruitfulness in discipleship and mission which in turn will offer much to the parishes of this diocese as we live Christ’s story, together.”
