The Venerable Samantha Rushton will be welcomed as Archdeacon of York at a public service in Selby Abbey led by the Bishop of Selby, the Right Reverend Dr John Thomson, at 11.00am on Saturday 19th October 2019.
Sam Rushton becomes Archdeacon of York in succession to Sarah Bullock, who served from 2013 to 2019 before moving to be Bishop of Shrewsbury. Sam served as Archdeacon of Cleveland from 2015 to 2019 and will retain her additional role as Diocesan Warden of Readers.
On her appointment in August 2019, Sam said, “I’m looking forward to getting to know the landscape and people of the Vale of York, to working more closely with Bishop John and Archbishop Sentamu at this exciting time in York Diocese as we begin to see the fruits of our strategy of ‘Reach Grow Sustain’.
“Selby Abbey is a gem in the York Archdeaconry; it will be such a joy to pray and to be prayed for there as I take up this new role.”
Vicar of Selby Abbey Canon John Weetman added, “This is a great opportunity to celebrate Sam’s arrival and commit her ministry here to God – everyone is welcome and it should be an uplifting occasion.”
The service will include hymns and worship songs led by the organ and choir of Selby Abbey, and by singers and musicians from St Luke’s Church in York.
Sam will have formally taken up her new post ten days earlier but this will be her first opportunity to meet and pray with many of her new colleagues, and she will preach as Archdeacon of York for the first time.
Bishop of Selby Dr John Thomson said, “Sam is already an experienced Archdeacon with a firm faith and a passion for sharing it, as well as a background in banking that gives her a firm grasp of the practical challenges facing parish churches in the 21st Century.
“I’m looking forward to working with her to support the host of committed people in the York Archdeaconry who pray and work to keep the Church focused on the message of Jesus Christ in a complex and sometimes uncomfortable world.”
- All are welcome to join Sam and her family at the service in Selby Abbey at 11.00am on Saturday 19th October, with an opportunity to meet the new Archdeacon of York after the service.