Two special Pentecost services marked the beginning of new team ministries in the Mowbray Deanery, following the completion of a two-year process of deanery reorganisation.

The reorganisation, which was formally completed by the Church Commissioners in February, creates two geographical teams within the deanery: North Mowbray and South Mowbray. The new structure will support informal team ministry, encourage and grow lay ministry, and help churches share resources, gifts, and experience more effectively across the deanery.

Both celebration services were led by The Rt Revd Barry Hill, Bishop of Whitby, and The Ven Amanda Bloor, Archdeacon of Cleveland. They included the commissioning of lay ministers, as well as the licensing of incumbents.

The first service took place at 3.30pm on Sunday 24 May at All Saints, Northallerton, celebrating the new North Mowbray Team Ministry. During the service, the Revd David Johnson was licensed at All Saints.

A second service followed at 7.00pm at St Oswald’s, Sowerby, celebrating the new South Mowbray Team Ministry. This service included the licensing of the Revd David Biggs at St Oswald’s.

The celebrations offered a moment of thanksgiving for the ministry already shared across the deanery, and a hopeful step into a new season of working together in living Christ’s story.

A North Yorkshire parish has remembered one of its own after Squadron Leader George Morley Fidler, a Second World War RAF pilot from Great Ayton, was laid to rest in France 86 years after he was killed.

The Revd Sarah Cliff, Vicar of Great Ayton with Easby and Newton under Roseberry, supported by local historian Ian Pearce, initiated a service of remembrance at Christ Church, Great Ayton, so that the village could mark the moment locally while Squadron Leader Fidler was buried with full military honours in France.

The service was attended by representatives from RAF Leeming’s 607 Squadron and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Johanna Ropner, The Countess Peel DL, as well as pupils from Marwood CofE Infant School and members of the local community.

Fidler, known as Morley, was born in Great Ayton in 1912. His name is recorded on the war memorial at Christ Church, alongside other men from the village who lost their lives in the Second World War.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1934 and was serving with 607 Squadron when his Hawker Hurricane was shot down over northern France on 19 May 1940. He was 27.

For many years, Fidler was believed to have been buried in the village of Bachy, near Lille. Later research showed that this was not the case. In 2005, metal detectorists discovered wreckage 35km away at Oisy-le-Verger, including a piece bearing the serial number P3535, suggesting that it came from Fidler’s Hurricane. The Ministry of Defence then investigated the grave at Bachy and, after uncertainty over the original identification, the headstone there was changed to read “unknown Airman”.

In 2022, work on the Seine-Nord Canal at Oisy-le-Verger unearthed a Hurricane with the pilot still inside, close to where Fidler’s aircraft had last been seen. Ministry of Defence investigators identified him through a process of elimination, testing samples from three other pilots lost that day.

Fidler was laid to rest at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, on 19 May 2026, exactly 86 years after his death.

Revd Sarah Cliff said: “Squadron Leader Fidler, alongside so many others, answered the call, served with honour, and gave his life in the service of his nation. I just thought we needed to do something to remember a life lost, but also to remember the shape of this country, which has been made by those communities changed forever by loss of life: children not born, families not happening. He walked these streets. He was baptised in this church. It’s really important that we honour him, and that we honour all those who died, whether it was last week or 86 years ago.”

The service at Christ Church gave people in Great Ayton an opportunity to gather, pray, give thanks for Fidler’s courage, and remember the human cost of war. It also connected the burial in France with the village where his story began.

The story featured on last night’s ITV Tyne Tees. Watch again here: 

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/second-world-war-raf-pilot-buried-in-france-and-honoured-at-home-86-years-on-from-death/f00sv2d

Ahead of Archdeacon Andy’s move to his new role in Howden, there will be an opportunity to say farewell in a service at Beverley Minster.

Reflecting on his time as Archdeacon of the East Riding, Andy said: “It has been a great joy and privilege to serve as archdeacon. I have loved the variety of the churches and people across the archdeaconry, and the opportunity to serve the wider diocese. The role of archdeacon is both demanding and stimulating, and I hope, in some small way, I have supported and enabled our churches as they live Christ’s Story.

“This opportunity came unexpectedly, and I am excited about what God might do across Howdenshire. I feel very blessed to have this fresh call, and partnering with St John’s and the Diocese of Sheffield brings an extra dimension full of possibilities.”

The service at Beverley Minster will take place on Tuesday 30 June at 7.30pm. To find out more and to book a free ticket (this helps us to plan), please visit Eventbrite.

A meeting of the York Diocesan Synod will be held on Zoom commencing at 9.30am. The meeting will finish around 1.00 pm.

The Business to be discussed at the meeting is anticipated to include:

• Living Christ’s Story and the Multiply Report
• Annual Reports and Accounts 2025
• 2026 Financial Update
• Audit Committee Report
• Net Zero Carbon Action Plan
• Statutory annual reports

The full agenda will be published at least a week before the meeting.

Agenda Items, Questions or New Business requests

Under Standing Orders any other business for the meeting shall be in writing, signed and sent by email attachment to kirsty.mccullough@yorkdiocese.org or delivered to the Secretary, York Diocesan Synod, Diocese of York, Amy Johnson Way, Clifton Moor, York YO30 4XT by hand or by post, not later than the period before the meeting specified below.

• New Business for the Agenda: to arrive by 4.00pm, Friday 15th May

• *Questions, Motions and Amendments: to arrive by 4.00pm, Friday 12th June

* Members are reminded that under Standing Orders they are entitled to submit two original questions for answer at a meeting of the Diocesan Synod, and a member who has asked a question may ask one supplementary question in respect of each original question. Questions shall not ask for an expression of opinion or for the solution of either an abstract legal question or a hypothetical problem, and should relate to the business or duties of the committee chair or officer addressed.

The York Diocesan Synod is the governing body of the Church of England in our diocese.

It considers matters sent to it from General Synod and from deaneries, formulates diocesan policy, advises the Archbishop as appropriate, and votes on the funding of stipends and administration. Lay and ordained members elected by Deanery Synods serve for three years.

All Synod meetings are open and public (unless it is a meeting in closed session for a specific item), but only members are entitled to speak or vote.

Working with our friends at Faith in the North and York Minster, the Diocese of York has launched a new collection of pilgrimage resources to help churches explore faith, welcome communities, and discover fresh opportunities for mission and discipleship.

Pilgrimage has long been part of the Christian tradition, offering a way of deepening faith through intentional journeying.

Pilgrimage has long been part of the Christian tradition. It offers people a way to deepen their faith through intentional journeying. Today, pilgrimage continues to help people notice God’s presence in places, in people, and in everyday life. For churches, it can open new ways of inviting people into faith and creating spaces of welcome and encounter.

To support this growing work, the Diocese of York’s Pilgrimage Working Group has brought together ordained and lay people from across the diocese, alongside colleagues from Faith in the North and York Minster. Together, they have created a range of new resources for churches, including a practical toolkit and a small group resource.

Last month saw the launch of Faith in the North’s new project, ‘Pilgrim Places’, which invites churches to register as a place of welcome, rest, and peace. Many churches across the diocese have already registered their church as a Pilgrim Place, offering signage, prayer cards, and reflective trails to visitors.

Alongside this, the Church of England has recently published Pilgrim Places, Holy Lives, a new summer reflection campaign centred on pilgrimage and the stories that shape our journey with God. The booklet includes daily readings and reflections exploring eight places and the saints connected with them. Contributors include Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, Diocesan Discipleship Adviser Sammi Tooze, and Faith in the North’s Professor Dee Dyas OBE. These will be shared on the Church of England’s Everyday Faith app from the day after Pentecost (25th May) until 21st June.

The new diocesan toolkit encourages churches to explore pilgrimage creatively. It includes ideas for prayer journeys within church buildings, connecting churches through walking routes, engaging children and young people, using the arts and imagination, and ensuring pilgrimage activities are accessible and sustainable.

The accompanying small group resource invites people to reflect on what it means to be God’s pilgrim people today. Sessions explore discipleship, mission, encounter, living as a pilgrim, and the pilgrimage of the soul.

Sammi Tooze, Diocesan Discipleship Adviser, said:

“It’s a great joy to see pilgrimage growing across our diocese, in many creative ways. I’ve been inspired to see the ways churches have offered something deeply missional to their communities, which enables us to encounter God along that journey and discover something of faith.

“The collaborative work between our Diocesan Pilgrimage Group and Faith in the North has been incredibly fruitful, and it’s great to be able to share these materials now to offer guidance, ideas, and support in exploring the creative ways we can all engage with pilgrimage in our local place.”

You can access all these resources for free on our pilgrimage webpage.

Movements of clergy and others, into, out of, and between posts in the Diocese of York

The Revd Lois Claire Beynon, Vicar of the Clun Valley Benefice in the Diocese of Hereford, has been appointed as Vicar of the Benefice of Bridlington Emmanuel and Barmston with Fraisthorpe. Her collation by the Bishop of Hull will take place in the parish church of Emmanuel, Bridlington, on Tuesday 28th July 2026 at 7.00pm.

The Revd David James Biggs, Priest‑in‑Charge of the Benefice of Sowerby, held in plurality with the Benefice of Sessay and Thirkleby w Kilburn & Bagby, has been appointed as Vicar of the Benefice of Sowerby. His collation by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in the parish church of St Oswald’s, Sowerby, on Sunday 24th May 2026 at 7.00pm.

The Revd Jonathan Charles Dean, Assistant Curate of the Benefice of Great Ayton with Easby and Newton under Roseberry, was licensed as Assistant Curate, known as Associate Priest, of the same benefice by the Bishop of Whitby on Monday 27th April 2026.

The Revd Jackie Doyle‑Brett, Priest‑in‑Charge of The Rivers Partnership, was appointed as Rector of The Rivers Partnership. Her institution by the Archdeacon of York took place in the parish church of St Helen’s, Escrick, on Tuesday 21st April 2026.

The Revd Clive Richard Hall, Interim Minister (Associate Vicar) of the South Holderness Coast Benefice, with particular responsibility for the parish of Withernsea with Owthorne, was appointed Area Dean of South Holderness for a period of five years with effect from Tuesday 24th March 2026. He succeeded the Revd Alisdair Laird and was commissioned in a private ceremony on the same date.

The Revd Helen Jones, Hospital Chaplain at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, has been appointed additionally as Assistant Curate (training) in the Benefice of Heworth Holy Trinity and St Wulstan for a period of two years. She was licensed by the Bishop of Selby on Monday 27th April 2026 at the parish church of Holy Trinity, Heworth.

The Revd David Johnson, Priest‑in‑Charge of the Benefice of Northallerton with Kirby Sigston, has been appointed as Vicar of the Benefice of Northallerton, Romanby and Kirby Sigston. His institution by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in the parish church of All Saints, Northallerton, on Sunday 24th May 2026 at 3.30pm.

The Revd Alisdair Mark Laird, Vicar of the Benefice of Easington w Skeffling, Keyingham, Ottringham, Patrington, Welwick and Winestead, has been reappointed to his interim roles for a further period of three years. These are Interim Priest‑in‑Charge of the Benefice of Burton Pidsea, Humbleton w Elsternwick, Halsham and Thorngumbald; Interim Assistant Curate of the Benefice of Hedon, Paull, Sproatley and Preston in Holderness; and Interim Priest‑in‑Charge of the South Holderness Coast. His relicensing will take place in a private ceremony on Thursday 7th May 2026.

The Revd Linda Jane Maslen, Church Leader of Fountains Church, Bradford, in the Diocese of Leeds, has been appointed as Vicar (0.5) of the Benefice of Rural Ainsty. Her collation by the Bishop of Selby will take place in the parish church of St Helen’s, Church Bilton, Ainsty, on Tuesday 7th July 2026 at 7.30pm.

The Revd Bill Merrington, Chaplain of Pocklington School, will retire on Monday 31st August 2026.

The Revd Johannes (Jan) Nobel, Interim Priest‑in‑Charge of the Benefice of Osbaldwick with Murton and part‑time Green Ambassador for the Diocese of York, has been appointed as Rector of the Benefice of Guisborough. His collation by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in St Nicholas’ Church, Guisborough, on Thursday 3rd September 2026 at 7.00pm.

The Revd Jane Robson, Priest‑in‑Charge of the Benefice of Kirkleatham, has been appointed as Vicar of the Benefice of Kirkleatham. Her collation by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in the parish church of St Cuthbert’s, Kirkleatham, on Monday 22nd June 2026 at 7.30pm.

The Revd Peter Francis Roberts, Rector of Monk Fryston and South Milford, and Assistant Curate of Haddlesey with Hambleton and Birkin with particular responsibility for the parish of Birkin, retired on Friday 1st May 2026. His final service took place on Sunday 12th April 2026.

The Revd Christine Ann Strand will be licensed as Assistant Curate, known locally as Associate Vicar, of the Benefice of Bridlington Christ Church with Bessingby and Ulrome, for a period of two years. The licensing by the Bishop of Hull will take place in a private ceremony on Wednesday 24th June 2026.

The Revd Nikki James Blanton Stevenson, Prison Chaplain at HMP Kirk Levington, will resign with effect from 31st May 2026 to become Pioneer Team Rector of the Crosslacon Benefice in the Diocese of Carlisle.

The Revd Canon Tessa Stephens, Vicar of the Benefice of Nunthorpe, has been reappointed as Area Dean of Stokesley Deanery for a further period of five years with effect from Monday 27th April 2026. She was commissioned by the Bishop of Whitby on the same date.

The Revd James Andrew Trowsdale, Rector of the Benefice of Ampleforth with Oswaldkirk, Gilling East and Stonegrave, has been additionally appointed as Hospital Chaplain for York and Scarborough NHS Trust. His licensing by the Archdeacon of Cleveland will take place on Wednesday 20th May 2026.

The Revd Catherine Jane Toase, Assistant Curate of the Benefice of Skelton w Shipton and Newton on Ouse, retired on Wednesday 31st December 2025.

The Revd Maxine Dawn Waller, Priest‑in‑Charge of The Beacon Benefice, has been appointed as Rector of The Beacon Benefice. Her institution by the Bishop of Hull will take place in the parish church of St Martin, Burton Agnes, on Wednesday 20th May 2026 at 7.00pm.

The Revd Huw Waring, Assistant Curate of the Benefice of Rudston, Boynton, Carnaby, Kilham, Burton Fleming with Fordon, Grindale and Wold Newton, will be licensed as Assistant Curate of the Hertford Benefice. The licensing by the Bishop of Hull will take place in a private ceremony on Tuesday 16th June 2026 at the parish church of All Saints, Kilham.

The Revd Stephen (Steve) Whiting, Priest‑in‑Charge of the Benefice of The Forest of Galtres, will retire on Friday 31st July 2026.

The Revd Nigel Christopher James Wright, who holds the Archbishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Leeds, has been appointed as Assistant Curate, known as Associate Priest, of the Benefice of the South Mowbray Rural Parishes. His licensing by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in the parish church of All Saints, Thirkleby, on Wednesday 1st July 2026 at 7.00pm.

RECOGNISE Week, taking place from 6 to 12 July 2026, shines a light on the people who serve children, young people, and families in churches across the country. Launched in 2025 by the national 30K Project, the initiative is part of the Church of England’s wider vision to raise up 30,000 new children and youth ministers, both voluntary and employed, by 2030.

Churches are encouraged to recognise the people whose ministry makes such a difference in local communities. This includes children’s group leaders, crèche volunteers, baby and toddler group leaders, youth leaders and volunteers, and family workers.

A diocesan panel will review parish nominations and select one nominee from each archdeaconry to go forward for national recognition. This year’s celebration event at Bishopthorpe Palace takes place on Monday 6 July.

Churches can also get involved in Recognise Week in other ways, from hosting a celebration event to sharing a special thank-you video on social media. Find out more on our web page at https://dioceseofyork.org.uk/support/for-churches/growing-younger/recognise/

We might not usually mark St George’s Day differently from other saints’ days. Yet in recent years, St George and the stories, symbols, and ideas associated with him as England’s patron saint have been drawn into debates about identity, belonging and nationhood. Alongside England, St George is also a patron Saint of Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Catalonia, as well as cities like Genoa, Moscow and Beirut.

Some of the rhetoric surrounding St George’s Day can feel far removed from the gospel. When Christian symbols are used to exclude, intimidate, or suggest that England belongs more fully to some people than others, they are being used in ways that do not reflect what it means to live Christ’s story and the inclusive message of the Gospel.

Bishop of Kirkstall and joint Lead Bishop for Racial Justice, the Rt Revd Arun Arora has previously spoken of the need to embrace and reclaim St George’s Day, with a “positive patriotism rooted in Gospel values.” Christians need not be hesitant, he says, about celebrating the communities and country we serve, but our love of place must always be shaped by the love of God, which is for everyone.

Earlier this year, the Church of England Bishops’ Working Group for Promoting Unity in our Nation said that the flag of St George “cannot be owned by any one group or cause” but should instead be seen as “a symbol of unity, inclusion and our common life around which we all gather.”

“In less than two months, we’ll be reminded of Baddiel and Skinner’s classic anthem Three Lions on a shirt, as we sing – and many of us pray – that England bring home the Men’s Football World Cup.  As we prepare to fly the flag of St George both on 23rd April and this summer in support of our football team, it’s a great opportunity to remember that we are England united – united across difference, in service of our neighbour, a service at the heart of our Christian heritage.”

The Rt Revd Barry Hill, Bishop of Whitby and Episcopal Lead for Intercultural Ministry in the Diocese of York

The Church of England has a presence in every community and exists for all who live in this country. We are not only the Church of England, but a Church for England. That means standing for the common good, seeking justice, peace and reconciliation, and recognising the innate dignity of every person as someone loved by God.

Churches are often at the heart of their communities, listening to people who feel unheard or overlooked. Many people are facing the strain of rising costs and reduced local services, and, as Christians, we are called to respond with compassion and to speak truthfully to those with power.

At the same time, we hear the concerns of those who feel threatened when migrants are blamed for wider economic and social challenges. Too often, this has led to racist abuse and violence, leaving people feeling less safe in their communities.

Churches are uniquely placed to create space for honest and respectful conversations about faith, identity, and belonging. They can be places where people are heard with empathy and where Christ’s story is lived out in love for our neighbours.

To mark St George’s Day, the Church of England has produced resources to help churches and groups explore the person of St George, what he represents, and the role he plays in the formation of both our Christian and English identities.

This St George’s Day, may we celebrate a more Christ-like nation, marked by courage, compassion, and love for all.

Resources

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The York Diocesan Board of Education (YDBE) invited students from our Church of England schools across the diocese to create artwork showing how they see God at work in their school. These individual pieces have now been carefully brought together into a beautifully crafted cope by textile artist Yvonne Bell. Each panel reflects a glimpse of faith lived out in daily school life – in friendship, kindness, prayer, and learning.

This project reflects something we see throughout scripture – that God speaks and works through people of all ages. By placing children’s voices at the centre of worship, the cope is a visible reminder that young people are not just part of the Church’s future, but its present.

The cope will travel across the diocese, worn by bishops during school visits and at special services. This includes an Evensong for school governors at York Minster in June. It will also be available for schools and parishes to borrow.

To arrange use of the cope, please contact Abbie, EA to the Bishop of Whitby, at BishopOfWhitbyEA@yorkdiocese.org (collection and return via Middlesbrough).

In the Diocese of York, racial justice is supported by our Racial Justice Education Adviser, Gerald Fox. In this nationally funded role, Gerald encourages learning, conversation, and action so that churches can reflect more fully on what it means to live Christ’s story in their communities.

This year’s event was held on Monday 22 March at St Martin’s Conference Centre, next to Leicester Cathedral, now widely known as the resting place of King Richard III. Here, Gerald reflects on the day and some of the key themes that emerged

The biblical foundation for racial justice

After a welcome and opening prayers, the Revd Canon Guy Hewitt, Director of the Racial Justice Unit, gave a presentation on growing social polarisation and the rise of Christian nationalism. He told us that there is currently a national, bishop-led working group looking at these issues and seeking to shape a church response.

Guy suggested that the context for both our Christian faith and the work of racial justice can be found in scripture, including 1 John 4:16, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them”, and Luke 10:27, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.”

He went on to say that welcoming and loving the stranger is an imperative that flows from our belief in the imago Dei – that every person is made in the image of God. He argued that growing polarisation in society is often driven by people holding tightly to social identities rather than to our identity in Christ.

He also said that, because of our unity in Christ, we cannot reject those who come to faith, including those drawn from the far right. At the same time, we must be ready to challenge anyone who seeks to distort the Christian faith for their own agenda.

Responding to a divided society

Guy also reflected that the work of racial justice is harder now than it was five years ago, when the Archbishops’ Racial Justice Taskforce published From Lament to Action. Hostility towards migrants, pressure on charities working with diverse communities, and public resistance to the accommodation of other faiths were all named as signs of a more difficult climate.

Part of the response to these developments, he said, is to remind people that we do not flourish alone. In Ubuntu this is expressed in the phrase, “I am because we are.” We need to resist the temptation to exclude and recover a sense of the common good. In times of economic pressure, people can become more fearful and more likely to look for someone to blame. What follows is often the dehumanising of others.

He argued that the Church must respond with the radical inclusiveness of Jesus. We are called to love even those who hate or oppose us, and we can only do that by the grace of God. We cannot fight hate with hate. As the established Church, the Church of England is uniquely placed to play an important role in addressing increasing social polarisation. We must use our presence in the public square for the public good.

Guy’s presentation was followed by a discussion of the issues and challenges he had raised.

Shared learning from across the dioceses

The rest of the day was given to updates from the dioceses represented at the gathering. Each person was asked to share one highlight to celebrate, one insight they had gained, and one challenge they were facing. Representatives attended from 17 dioceses, including York. There was also representation from the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative, a collaboration between Birmingham, Coventry, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield and Worcester, as well as from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Friendly Churches.

Several common themes emerged. Many dioceses are now delivering unconscious bias training and raising awareness of racial justice by speaking at deanery synods. There is also significant work taking place to help people understand the theological and scriptural foundations of racial justice. A number of dioceses have created, or are developing, anti-racist toolkits for use in parishes and benefices.

A shared priority was how to embed this work in the everyday life of the Church. What that looks like varies from diocese to diocese, but there was agreement that episcopal support is one of the keys to progress. That is something we are fortunate to have in York through the support of The Rt Revd Barry Hill, Bishop of Whitby.

Shared challenges

Several challenges were also identified. One was the absence of good data. Without a clear baseline, it is difficult to measure progress or celebrate change.

Another was the reduction in funding available for this work in the next triennium. The budget has been reduced significantly, and many of those present were employed on fixed-term contracts funded through the Racial Justice Unit. There is real concern that if those posts end, we could lose the momentum of this work.

A third challenge was the continued pushback and resistance that racial justice work can still provoke.

The road ahead

Overall, it was a very encouraging and uplifting gathering. It provided valuable opportunities for networking, useful sharing of information, and mutual support. The Racial Justice Unit will continue to facilitate monthly online meetings throughout the year for those involved in racial justice work across the Church.

If you would welcome a conversation about racial justice in your church, please contact Gerald Fox, Racial Justice Education Adviser, at gerald.fox@yorkdiocese.org.

A New Worshipping Community at St Lazarus has opened its doors this week, with an unusual meeting space: a bouncy castle.

Inspired by the success of their recent Jumpy Church programme for 18s-30s, the bouncy castle was made an official fixture at a launch service on Sunday. It blended seamlessly with the church’s traditional Palm Sunday service, as church warden Harry Owen Peterson noted, “We’re seeking to become more like Christ, so we ‘borrowed’ some donkeys from the beach. Attendance went through the roof, though I think some may have got it confused with the village fete.”

Parts have been repurposed from other community groups who use the church’s hall; crash mats have been loaned from the U3A’s Jiu-Jitsu class, and pews have been salvaged from the wooden remnants of the Boys’ Brigade’s Bi-Monthly Bonfire Bash.

“We had some issues initially getting it off the ground,” explains the Revd Bob Salter, Associate Minister at St Lazarus. “Finding the correct Faculty category for the Fan Blower (needed to power the structure) on the new Building Management Portal was a struggle. Although this significantly delayed progress, the Church Buildings team at the diocese helped us to bounce back.”

Area Dean the Revd Jayne Spring is keen to encourage innovative new worshipping communities, noting “We’re really proud of what St Lazarus has done here, especially with their current financial situation. Churches are continually facing the pressures of rising inflation, and we are looking for cost-effective ways of growing churches of missionary disciples.”

For churches along the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail, however, this tradition has long been kept alive through the Gathering Lent Pilgrimage. This year, more than 80 walkers, riders, cyclists, families, and friends were welcomed by the Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey, Bishop of Ramsbury, and the Revd Mel Burnside, at All Saints, Old Byland, before setting out on the trail to Rievaulx Abbey.

The pilgrimage called at St Mary, Scawton, where reflections and prayers were led by the Revd Ian Robinson, before continuing to Cold Kirby for lunch and then on to St Mary the Virgin, Rievaulx. There, pilgrims were joined by Bishop Barry Hill and Archdeacon Amanda Bloor.

At the abbey, Bishop Andrew and Revd Mel led a short service, accompanied by the Bilsdale Silver Band, before pilgrims departed with memories of a prayerful day amid the beauty of the North York Moors and its heritage churches, and a Christian message of hope and blessing. The day drew to a close with an evening concert by Bishop Andrew at All Saints, Helmsley.

As a testament to George Gyte and the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail team, the Gathering Lent Pilgrimage will feature on tonight’s BBC One Show at 7pm. You can watch again on BBC iPlayer.

If your church or community is organising a pilgrimage, do let us know. You can find further resources below:

• Pilgrim Places, Holy Lives
• Faith in the North – Pilgrim Places
• St Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail

Image courtesy of Valerie Mather

A dozen witnesses to the crucifixion of Jesus will be voiced by church members in a powerful re-telling of the events of Good Friday and Easter Day, in a group of North Yorkshire churches during Holy Week.

‘To the Cross’ is a sequence of dramatic poems by teacher, script writer, director, author and poet Michael Justin Davis; it was written for presentation in Salisbury Cathedral in 1983, and first came to Kirkbymoorside and nearby churches in the early 2000s.

Directed by the Revd Yvonne Yates, this year’s presentation takes place at 7.00pm on Tuesday 31st March at St Mary’s Church high in the North York Moors at Farndale; at 7.00pm on Wednesday 1st April at St Michael & All Angels’ Church in the Ryedale hill village of Great Edstone; and at 7.00pm on Good Friday, 3rd April, in the 13th Century Church of All Saints in Kirkbymoorside.

‘To the Cross’ is written in blank verse as a series of dramatic monologues by those witnessing or participating in the crucifixion and resurrection; Jesus doesn’t appear but the cast includes Peter, Mary Magdalene, Judas, Joseph of Aramathea and the soldier who nails Jesus to the cross.

“It’s disturbing to inhabit a character in raw shock as they describe a terrible experience,” says Martin Sheppard, who voices Simon of Cyrene. “The words don’t come easily but we’ve all been moved as we’ve learned to own the individuals whose names are so familiar from the Bible stories.

“Anyone attending will share that depth and perspective – this is living Christ’s story at its most extreme moments.”

The presentation will last a little over an hour and all are welcome.

• Tuesday 31st March, 7.00pm, St Mary’s Church, Farndale.
• Wednesday 1st April, 7.00pm, St Michael & All Angels’ Church, Great Edstone
• Good Friday, 3rd April, 7.00pm, All Saints’ Church, Kirkbymoorside