The Archbishop of York ordained sixteen people to the Priesthood on Sunday 19th June in York Minster. You can see photos from the service here.

Nine men and seven women from across the Diocese of York were ordained Priest including David Efird from York, Annie Borthwick from Dunnington, Anne Richards from Hull and Danny Walker from Northallerton.

Dr. David Efird is originally from America, teaches Christian Philosophical Theology and Theological Ethics at the University of York and is Provost of Vanbrugh College. He said, “I am called to ordination as a priest who is, at the same time, an academic philosopher. By this complementary vocation, I intend to show that a Christian life is entirely compatible with an intellectual life. Just as faith is compatible with doubt, so is faith compatible with reason. Alongside serving as a philosopher and Provost at the University of York, I serve as Assistant Curate at York Minster, preaching once a month and participating in the liturgical life of the cathedral.”

Annie Borthwick said, “I was a lay chaplain in a psychiatric hospital for thirteen years, and loved my job. It was through my experience there that I began to feel called to the priesthood, although it seemed at the time as if it would be impossible, not least because I wasn't even an Anglican! I love being an assistant curate for Dunnington, Warthill, Holtby and Stockton -on-the Forest, although it’s all new and a bit scary at times! I'm learning so much, and I’m also continuing as a volunteer chaplain at Bootham Park Hospital for one day each week.

Anne Richards said, “I am Curate at St Michael's, North Hull and am enjoying continuing working with St Michael's Youth Project, which was my job before ordination. As part of my work with the St Michael's Youth Project I try to stretch children and young people to do things they couldn’t expect to do. It's a real joy to work in the community of Orchard Park and North Hull as well as with the worshipping community at St Michael's.

Danny Walker said, “I am originally from Mansfield but I have been living in Yorkshire for the last fifteen years. In my spare time I like travelling and cycling, and last year I cycled from London to Paris for Christian Aid. I feel called to priesthood because I feel that God wants me to serve his people.”

Archbishop Sentamu said, “The Ordination service is just the start of ordained life for these men and women. Their work is to build up the Body of Christ in each community to the priesthood through celebration, worship, teaching and pastoral care. Each will have a ministry of leadership and mission, enabling all Christian people to make Christ visible as they witness to Christ in the world.”

The people ordained, and the parishes in which they serve are: