Thirteen new lay ministers will be licensed during a Service on Saturday 12^th September at 10.30am in York Minster.

This service will celebrate the breadth of lay ministries across the diocese. It will include the authorisation of Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs), the admission and licensing of Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) and Licensed Lay Workers, as well as a recognition of those who are taking on other forms of Lay Ministry. There will also be an acknowledgement of the LLMs who have given long service.

The service will include the admission and licensing of new Licensed Lay Ministers, and LLMs transferring into the diocese from elsewhere. Long Service Awards will be presented to LLMs whose ministry has continued for many years. Licensed Lay Ministers are lay people who represent the church in a public, representative and leadership role. Expressed in a wide variety of ways, their ministry is focused in three main areas: Teaching the Faith, Enabling People in Mission, and Being Leaders in Church and Society.

Tracy Carr says, “Mothering Sunday 2018 was the first time I set foot in my local church.  I was made very welcome and just felt like I belonged, I couldn’t explain what was happening to me.  The overwhelming feeling of love and the urge to do more grew stronger, and I was asked if I would like to be licensed as a Reader.  I did not think I would be suitable, but I have really surprised myself regarding my capabilities.  I may have found my faith late in life, but what a journey!”

Adrian Wallace says, “When I was 20 my Minister asked me to preach at a student service.  I found preparing and preaching that first sermon terrifying, but hugely rewarding.  Nearly 30 years later my Rector asked if I would preach at a Service of the Word, which led me into becoming a Recognised Parish Assistant in 2018.  When I retired from full time employment taking this further by becoming an LLM (Reader) seemed like the natural thing to do.”

David Norman says, “Having grown up in a different church context, it was discovering Evensong and the Book of Common Prayer as a university student that drew me into the Church of England.  I was confirmed in my final year of university, and about that time I started to sense some sort of calling to ministry.  I felt especially drawn to the preaching and teaching aspects of LLM (Reader) ministry, as well as the leading of Morning and Evening Prayer.  I am very excited to be licensed for this public ministry, but above all I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to assist in the proclamation of the Good News.”

Archbishop Stephen will be preaching and presiding at the service.

Those being admitted and licensed as Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) are:

Cleveland Archdeaconry

• Paul Pepper, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Thirsk

East Riding Archdeaconry

• Josiah Beynon, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe
• Bruce Clark, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Hertford
• Bill Fearnehough, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Scarborough, St Mary w Christ Church and Holy Apostles
• Carolyn Kirk, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Beverley St Mary
• Carol Ann Slade, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe
• Jane Todd, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Beverley St John and St Martin with Routh All Saints
• Adrian Wallace, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Cherry Burton

York Archdeaconry

• Tracy Carr, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Riccall, Barlby and Hemingbrough (held in plurality with Bubwith and Skipwith)
• Julie Geary, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Haddlesey w Hambleton and Birkin and the Benefice of Carlton and Drax
• David Norman, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of York All Saints, Pavement w St Crux and St Michael Spurriergate (held in plurality with York St Olave w St Giles, York St Helen Stonegate w St Martin Coney Street & York St Denys)
• Mary Okeudo-Cogan, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Escrick and Stillingfleet w Naburn (held in plurality with Derwent Ings)
• Nicola Simpson, to be admitted as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and licensed to the Benefice of Haxby and Wigginton

Those being licensed on transfer are:

• Angela Coggins, to be licensed to the Benefice of Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe (East Riding Archdeaconry)
• Rosemary Glave, to be licensed to the Benefice of Sherburn-in-Elmet w Saxton (York Archdeaconry)

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

The Revd Anika Gardiner, Vicar of the Benefice of York St Luke, has been appointed additionally by the Bishop of Selby as Associate Area Dean of York for a period of five years, with effect from Wednesday 7th October 2026. She will be commissioned by the Archdeacon of York in Clifton Parish Church on Wednesday 7th October 2026 at 7.30pm.

The Venerable Michael Lowther Kavanagh, Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Garrowby Hill, retired on Monday 4th May 2026.

The Revd Mairi Ellen Taylor Gibson, Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Acomb The Holy Redeemer, held in plurality with Nether Poppleton w Upper Poppleton, will be licensed as Parish Deacon in the same benefices. The licensing by the Bishop of Selby will take place in Bishopthorpe Palace Chapel on Wednesday 30th September 2026 at 12.30pm.

Here, the Revd Anika Gardener reflects on Christians at Pride in York, and on what it means to be a Christian presence rooted in welcoming and solidarity.

Saturday 30 May saw thousands of people take to the streets to participate in York Pride. Sponsors, community groups, charities, schools, and individuals walked from the city centre to the Knavesmire, with CaPiY (Christians at Pride in York) in the midst of it.

There has been a Christian presence at Pride for a number of years now, and it was brilliant to see Christians from different churches and denominations from York and beyond taking part. As well as carrying the big banner during the parade, we once again had a stall at the Knavesmire.

The idea behind it is to have a positive Christian presence at Pride: talking to people, listening, and generally being part of this important celebration. At the stall, there was an art project that people could add their names to, which hundreds of people did, as well as some ‘God loves you’ pins for people to take. Those involved with the stall also had some meaningful conversations with people.

One conversation I was told about particularly stood out to me. Someone had been so hurt by Christians in the past that, upon learning our stall was run by Christians, they walked away. We had plenty of positive reactions, and people were genuinely appreciative of us being there, but this story broke my heart and is precisely why we are doing this.

Obviously, we’d love to be able to say that we had a chat with the person and they left happier. That’s not what happened. As Christians, we have a part to play: to be allies, to stand in solidarity with our siblings, and to celebrate together, so that hopefully those heartbreaking stories will one day be stories of the past and, instead, we will hear stories of radical welcome.

In the meantime, we continue to be a joyful, positive presence, sharing the love of God.

• Find out more about Christians at Pride
• Find an Inclusive Church near you
• Get involved in Together for the Church of England

A Celebration of Lay Ministries Service will be held on Saturday 12^th September at 10.30am in York Minster to recognise and affirm the ministries of lay people in the Diocese of York.

The service will be livestreamed on YouTube – watch it here.

This service will celebrate the breadth of lay ministries across the diocese. It will include the authorisation of Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs) and the admission and licensing of Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers), as well as a recognition of those who are taking on other forms of lay ministry. There will also be an acknowledgement of the LLMs who have given long service. Archbishop Stephen will be preaching at the service.

As the body of Christ in the Diocese of York, its people and church communities will give thanks for the rich gifts of those who serve in a variety of lay ministries, all of which are a vital part of the ministry of the whole people of God as participants in God’s mission to the world.

The service will include:

• the authorisation of Authorised Lay Ministers. ALMs are lay people active in church life who have a particular gifting, vocation or calling to lay ministry, i.e. those called to work collaboratively alongside their wider ministry teams with a focus on growing, nurturing, and serving the wider parish community.
• the admission and licensing of new Licensed Lay Ministers, and LLMs transferring into the diocese from elsewhere. Long Service Awards will be presented to LLMs whose ministry has continued for many years. Licensed Lay Ministers are lay people who represent the church in a public, representative and leadership role. Expressed in a wide variety of ways, their ministry is focused in three main areas: Teaching the Faith, Enabling People in Mission, and Being Leaders in Church and Society.
• A celebration of people who have been commissioned in other forms of lay ministry: Mustard Seed Community Ministers and those who have completed Catalyst Children and Youth Ministry training.

Lynn Comer, Warden of Lay Ministry for the Diocese of York, said, “It is such a joy to be able to celebrate the breadth of lay ministry we have in our diocese. Each of our lay ministers bring to this calling a wealth of unique gifts and talents, and it’s wonderful to see how they are serving God in their communities. I am grateful that we are able to recognise the essential work that they do in the life of the Church, and hope that you will join me in praying for all of our lay ministers.”

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

The Revd Rebecca (Becky) Jane Allright, Interim Minister (Priest-in-Charge) of the Benefice of Elloughton and Brough with Brantingham, has been reappointed to the same role for a further period of three years. The relicensing by the Bishop of Hull will take place in a private ceremony at Hullen House on Tuesday 3rd November 2026.

The Revd Andrew (Andy) Jim Baker, Interim Priest-in-Charge of York St Michael-le-Belfrey, has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge (Vicar Designate) of the Benefice of York St Michael-le-Belfrey. The licensing by the Bishop of Selby will take place in St Michael le Belfrey, De Grey Rooms, York, on Monday 19th October 2026 at 7.30pm.

The Venerable Jonathan Robin Blanning Gough, who currently holds the Archbishop’s Permission to Officiate, has been appointed as Provincial Chaplain to the Archbishop of York. The licensing by the Archbishop of York will take place at Bishopthorpe Palace on Tuesday 1st September 2026 at 12.30pm.

The Revd Doris (Dot) Valerie Hicks, Assistant Curate (Distinctive Deacon) in the Benefice of Strensall, will retire with effect from Wednesday 30th September 2026.

The Revd Canon Vaughan Pollard, who currently holds the Archbishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Dioceses of York and Leeds, has been appointed as Vicar (part-time) of The Moorlands Benefice. The institution by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in the parish church of St Hilda’s, Danby, on Monday 12th October 2026 at 7.30pm.

The Revd Darius James Traves, Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Osbaldwick with Murton, has been appointed as Assistant Curate (SSM) in the Benefice of York St Luke. The licensing by the Bishop of Selby will take place in the parish church of York St Luke on Tuesday 29th September 2026 at 7.30pm.

The Church of England is introducing the Building Management Portal, a new national digital system for managing applications relating to works on churches, their contents, and churchyards, with a planned release date of 6 October 2026.  

The new portal has been designed to make the application process easier to follow and to improve consistency in the way casework is managed. It will give users clearer information about application stages, supporting documents and the actions needed as an application progresses. 

The portal will replace the Online Faculty System. It will be used for List A, List B, and faculty applications, as well as associated casework, consultation, documents, and decision stages.  

The legal process itself is not changing. The Building Management Portal provides a new digital route for managing the existing permission framework. It is intended to make the process clearer, more structured, and easier to follow for applicants, parishes, diocesan teams, archdeacons, registrars, chancellors, and consultees.  

Accessing the Building Management Portal 

Users will access the Building Management Portal through the CofE Portal. This provides a secure login route and includes two-factor authentication. This will also apply to users of the current OFS. If you do not already have a CofE Portal account we suggest that you create one. Some users will also need to complete a one-time registration process so that their role, diocese, and church access can be assigned correctly.  

Existing and historic cases

Existing and historic cases from the Online Faculty System will be migrated into the new portal except for those cases which were submitted before April 2020, they will be deleted. As part of onboarding, dioceses are being asked to review sample cases, test key workflows, and check imported case information. This will help identify any access, document, workflow, or data issues before the final transition.  

Preparing for the national rollout

The portal has already been used by four pilot dioceses. Learning from that pilot has helped strengthen the national rollout approach, particularly around imported case data, registration, role-based access, CMS integration, user guidance, and issue reporting.  

Training and support

Training videos, FAQs, and guidance will be made available during rollout. 

James Miles, Project Manager for the Building Management Portal, said: 

“We appreciate that moving to a new national system will require some adjustment. The pilot phase has helped identify where users need clearer guidance, stronger support routes, and more time to check imported information. The national rollout has been shaped by that learning so that dioceses and users have a more structured transition from the Online Faculty System to the Building Management Portal. Thank you for your support as we prepare for this change.” 

If you are involved in a current or future application, we will provide more information in due course about what you need to do and when. For support, please contact our church buildings team at dac@yorkdiocese.org.

Further national information about the Building Management Portal is available on the Church of England website at churchofengland.org/BuildingManagementPortal.

On Sunday 6 September, the Church of England will celebrate the new, ecumenical, ‘Festival of Creation in Christ’, also known as the Feast of Creation, Creation Day, or Creation Sunday.

General Synod gave final approval to the new annual Festival in July. It connects the liturgical celebration of creation with the Fifth Mark of Mission, to ‘safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’.

The Festival is one of the fruits of a growing ecumenical movement among churches around the world. It offers Christians an opportunity to give thanks for God’s creation and redemption of the world, reflect on our responsibility to cherish the natural world, and pray for its renewal.

The Festival’s title is deliberately Christ-centred. As the Bishop of Lichfield, Michael Ipgrave, said when introducing the motion at General Synod, it speaks of “creation made through Christ, held together in Christ and destined for renewal in Christ”. It places care for creation within the faith, life, and worship of the Church: not simply as an environmental theme, but as part of Christian discipleship, mission, and hope.

Share your celebrations

After your celebration, we would love to share how churches across the diocese have marked the celebration. Please send your photos and stories to comms@yorkdiocese.org (making sure that you have the appropriate permission to share images of people).

Resources for worship

The full text of A Time for Creation (Second Edition) is available on the Church of England website and should be the first port of call for those planning worship. It includes the authorised texts and lectionary provision for the Festival, material for Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayer, and a commentary from the Liturgical Commission. The wider collection also provides prayers and resources for worship and discipleship throughout the Church and agricultural year.

The print edition of A Time for Creation (Second Edition): Liturgical Resources for Creation and the Environment is now available from Church House Publishing.

The new readings and collects are also available in the Lectionary app. (App users should make sure that they have the latest version installed.) As other Common Worship volumes will be updated when they are reprinted, churches should use the online collection or the new second edition for the current provision.

Church leaders may wish to begin planning by bringing together those involved in worship, preaching, children’s and youth ministry, and local creation care. The new material can help churches connect praise and prayer with learning, repentance, and practical action, rooted in the hope that God is making all things new in Christ.

The Festival is accompanied by Hope for All Creation: A Theological Response to the Environmental Crises, a teaching document from the House of Bishops. Together, the Festival and the teaching document invite the Church to respond to environmental crises from the heart of its faith and worship.

Liturgical Texts for the Eucharist

A Service of the Word

Full Lectionary Readings

Lectionary Readings

/

New lectionary readings for the Feast of Creation in Christ.

Worship Ideas

Hymns and Music

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Hymns and songs for All Age services, and suggestions of classical music that might be useful for the Feast of Creation in Christ.

The Francis 800 Peace Pilgrimage, organised by the Society of St Francis, began at Alnmouth in Northumberland on 17 July. The journey takes pilgrims through communities across England before reaching its final destination in London.

Pilgrims walked through the diocese at the end of July and beginning of August, and on Saturday 1 August, paused at Bishopthorpe Palace for a time of prayer before continuing their journey south.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, welcomed the pilgrims, saying: “This pilgrimage is a wonderful reminder that Christ’s peace starts with each of us.” He said he hoped the journey would encourage people to bring peace and hope to the communities in which they live and serve.

The pilgrimage marks the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St Francis — the commemoration of his death — and celebrates his continuing legacy of peace and reconciliation.

Sister Maureen, of the Community of St Francis, spoke about the purpose of the pilgrimage as she walked from Sheriff Hutton towards York:

“Francis is known these days so much as a man of peace,” she said. “We are trying to encourage people to reflect on what peace is for them: peace in their hearts, peace between their neighbours, peace in the world, and how they can contribute actively to that.”

The legacy of St Francis

Born in Assisi towards the end of the twelfth century, Francis grew up in a wealthy family before radically changing the direction of his life and committing himself to following Christ through prayer, simplicity, poverty, and service.

Others joined him, and the movement which grew around Francis developed into religious communities for men and women, alongside a Third Order for people seeking to follow Franciscan principles within their everyday lives.

Francis also developed a Rule of Life for his followers, establishing a shared pattern of Christian living. That idea of intentionally shaping everyday life around our faithfulness to Christ has continued to influence Christians throughout the centuries and is something we encourage through our diocesan Rhythm of Life.

Today, the Society of St Francis continues the Franciscan tradition within the Anglican Communion, living out the Gospel through prayer, simplicity, service, peace, and care for creation.

Please pray for those taking part as the pilgrimage continues its journey towards London.

You can find out more about the Francis 800 Peace Pilgrimage at www.spiritoffrancis.com/2026-franciscan-peace-pilgrimage/.

The Francis 800 Pilgrims meet with Archbishop Stephen at Bishopthorpe Palace.

Across Teesside, more people are asking questions about Jesus, exploring Christianity, and stepping through church doors. This autumn, churches across the region will respond together through Bible Conversations: Teesside, an initiative led by Bible Society in partnership with Transforming Teesside Together.

From 1 September until mid-October, a major awareness campaign will use billboards, buses, bus stops, social media, and other advertising to invite thousands of people to discover scripture. The campaign includes 12,000 Luke and Acts resources, with specially printed guides for exploring the Bible with friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues, and others curious about faith.

Churches across Stockton, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland are creating opportunities to continue those conversations. Eston with Normanby is already running courses, with more planned later this year, while St Cuthbert’s, Marton has prepared through a sermon series and will offer Alpha and The Bible Course this autumn. Other churches will host courses, small groups, one-to-one conversations, and relaxed spaces where people can explore the Christian faith together.

To help people take their first step, the Diocese of York has created a Start with the Bible page. It offers a simple introduction to the Bible, suggestions about where to begin, accessible reading and listening formats, resources for regular reading, and opportunities to explore questions with others. Parishes can also download an A5 flyer to print and insert in Bibles linking to the online resource.

Bishop of Whitby, Barry Hill, said “It is an increasingly regular occurrence for us as bishops to meet people who have just started coming to church one day, without any Christian background. When asking why, people often say they picked up a Bible one day, started reading and it led them to Jesus Christ. We shouldn’t be surprised, after all the apostle Peter declared to Jesus, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ 

“At the same time, some guidance in knowing where to start is also important and so I commend this new diocesan-wide resource, which can be printed inside bibles your parish give out or leave for people to take and links to a webpage with simple guidance.  Please be holding this particularly wonderful opportunity across Teesside to share hope and life in your prayers, for fruitful conversations led by God’s Spirit.”

Before the public campaign begins, parishes are invited to take part in a Teesside Week of Prayer and Fasting from 17–23 August.

The week begins with a Bible Conversations Prayer Service at St Barnabas Church, Middlesbrough, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Monday 17 August. The gathering is free, and everyone is welcome. Register for the prayer service.

Please join us in praying for Teesside, for churches preparing to welcome people, and for everyone who will encounter God’s Word through the campaign.

Not connected with the campaign yet?

Looking to explore the Bible with others?

The Ven Dr Amanda Bloor will retire as Archdeacon of Cleveland at Easter 2027, having served the Archdeaconry of Cleveland and the wider Diocese of York for the past seven years.

Reflecting on her time in the role, Amanda said: “It’s been a huge privilege to serve as Archdeacon of Cleveland since early 2020. I’ve worked with some amazing colleagues and loved getting to know people and places, seeing God at work in so many varied and exciting ways across this beautiful patch of North Yorkshire.

“It will be a wrench to leave you all, but I’m confident that God has good things in store and I’m looking forward to discovering what they might be.”

Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said: “Amanda has served the people and parishes of Cleveland with great faithfulness, wisdom and kindness. I’m deeply grateful for all she has given to the Diocese of York, particularly through the challenges and opportunities of recent years. We give thanks for her ministry, pray for God’s blessing as she prepares for retirement, and look forward to seeing what new adventures God has in store for her.”

Barry Hill, Bishop of Whitby, said: “Amanda has been such a great gift from God across the Archdeaconry of Cleveland and wider diocese these past six and a half years, and we will miss her very greatly. Her God-centred wisdom, rooted in a deep personal faith, her care for people and places expressed in excellence of process, her pastoral and missional instincts, and customary gentle calmness, no matter what the circumstances, have made a significant missional difference to those whom she has served so diligently.

“Navigating being licensed in the bishop’s garden, socially distancing, at the very start of lockdown, has exemplified Amanda’s ability not to be fazed and her considerable personal resilience. I join with so many across the diocese in owing Amanda a great personal debt of gratitude for these past two years of gracious colleagueship and friendship.

“Supported throughout by Mark and the wider family, may we pray for Amanda as she prepares to ‘retire’, knowing that God still has much in store for and through her.”

A farewell service of Evensong will take place at St Mary’s, Thirsk, on Sunday 14th March 2027 at 4.00pm. Booking details will follow in the coming days.

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

The Revd Marion Hazel Barella, Assistant Curate of the Benefice of York St Paul, held in plurality with York St Barnabas, has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Eston with Normanby. The collation by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in the parish church of St George’s, Normanby, on Tuesday 29th September 2026 at 7.00pm.

The Venerable Andrew Clifford Broom, Archdeacon of the East Riding, has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge of the Howdenshire Benefice. This is in addition to the previously announced appointment as Assistant Curate, known as Deanery Priest, to the remaining benefices in Howden Deanery. The licensing by the Bishop of Hull will take place in a private ceremony at Hullen House on Tuesday 1st September 2026. A public service will take place later in the autumn, after the suspension of the right of presentation to the benefice is lifted.

The Revd James Charles Peter Cawdell, Assistant Curate in the Linthorpe Benefice, will resign with effect from Monday 7th September 2026 to become Team Vicar in the Benefice of St George’s, Leeds, with responsibility for St Augustine’s Wrangthorn, in the Diocese of Leeds. His final services will take place in the parish church of St Barnabas, Linthorpe, on Sunday 9th August 2026 at 9.30am, 11.15am, and 6.30pm.

The Revd Heather Groocock, Assistant Curate (SSM) of Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe, will be licensed as Assistant Curate (SSM) of The Headland Benefice. The licensing by the Bishop of Hull will take place in the parish church of St Oswald, Flamborough, on Tuesday 20th October 2026 at 7.00pm.

The Revd Barbara Elizabeth Hodgson will be relicensed as Assistant Curate of the Benefice of Rudston, Boynton, Carnaby, Kilham, Burton Fleming with Fordon, Grindale and Wold Newton for a period of two years. The relicensing by the Bishop of Hull will take place in a private ceremony at Hullen House on Thursday 10th September 2026.

The Revd Joanne Clare Parker, Interim Priest-in-Charge of the Benefices of Fylingdales and Hawsker cum Stainsacre, and Lower Esk, has been reappointed to the same role for three years. The relicensing by the Bishop of Whitby will take place at the Bishop of Whitby’s office on Tuesday 8th September 2026.

The Revd Andrew (Andy) Edward John Richardson, who currently holds the Archbishop’s Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of York, has been appointed as Rector of York All Saints, Pavement w St Crux and St Michael Spurriergate; York St Denys; York St Helen Stonegate w St Martin Coney Street; and York St Olave w St Giles, held in plurality. The collation by the Bishop of Selby will take place in the parish church of St Olave’s, York, on Wednesday 23rd September 2026 at 7.30pm.

The Revd Anthony Paul Rigby, Operations Manager for Intertek Food UK and SSM for St Peter’s Church, Elworth, in the Diocese of Chester, has been appointed as Rector of Hinderwell, Roxby and Staithes with Lythe, Ugthorpe and Sandsend (The Mulgrave Benefice). The collation by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in the parish church of St Hilda’s, Hinderwell, on Sunday 1st November 2026 at 2.00pm.

The Revd Julia Staves, Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Brompton with Osmotherley, has been appointed as Rector of the same benefice. The institution by the Bishop of Whitby will take place in St Thomas’ Church, Brompton, on Sunday 27th September 2026 at 6.00pm.

The Revd John Robert Swinhoe, Interim Priest-in-Charge of the North Thornaby Benefice and Lead Chaplain to Cleveland Police, has resigned to become Vicar at St Helen Auckland in the Diocese of Durham. His final service will take place in the parish church of St Paul’s, North Thornaby, on Sunday 27th September 2026 at 10.00am.

The Revd Stephen (Steve) Charles Frederick Wilcox, Vicar of the Anlaby St Mark and Anlaby St Peter benefices, held in plurality, is to be Associate Archdeacon of Hull for a period of three years. He will be licensed by the Bishop of Hull in a private ceremony at Hullen House on Monday 7th September 2026.

The Revd Barry Worsdale, Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of North Cave with Cliffe and the Benefice of Hotham, held in plurality, has been reappointed to the same posts for a fixed term of one year. The relicensing by the Bishop of Hull will take place in a private ceremony at Hullen House on Thursday 3rd September 2026.

Almost 500 clergy and lay leaders gathered at the University of York from 23 to 25 July for Called and Sent, our first residential diocesan conference in over a decade.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for three days of worship, learning, conversation, and shared reflection. Together, we explored how we can become more like Christ, reach people who are not yet connected with the Church, grow as communities of missionary disciples, and ensure that our finances and structures better support our mission.

Learning and worshipping together

The Rt Revd Michael Curry, former Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, joined us live by video link after ill health prevented him from travelling to York. Through keynote talks and panel discussions, Bishop Curry reflected on becoming more like Christ, sharing our faith, growing as missionary disciples and the transforming power of love.

We also heard from education leader Sonia Thompson, who helped us consider how the Church’s finances and structures can better serve its mission, and the Rt Revd Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, who spoke about reaching people as yet unconnected with the Church.

A wide-ranging programme of practical seminars explored ministry in low-income and rural communities, work with children and young people, intercultural church, church planting, generosity, volunteering, healthier church cultures, school partnerships and the missional use of church buildings.

On the final day, we were joined by lay leaders from across the diocese. Meeting in deanery groups gave us an opportunity to consider how the conference’s learning might inspire local conversations, planning and action.

Our time together concluded with a Eucharist led by Archbishop Stephen, with contributions from poet Malcolm Guite, Dean Jessica Martin, and the music and arts collective Epiphany.

Called together — and sent out

In a special video message following the conference, Archbishop Stephen reflects on the joy of gathering as a diocesan family and encourages us to carry what we have learned into the places where we serve.

“We have been called,” he says. “We did gather together in York, and now we are again being sent out.”

The Archbishop speaks of his hope that the conference will renew our feeling of belonging to one another in Christ and help us put Living Christ’s Story into action—in our parishes, chaplaincies, schools and communities.

We hope everyone who attended returned home encouraged and challenged, ready to carry on the conversations begun at Called and Sent. The diocesan team is here to help you as you consider what the conference means for your church’s mission and ministry.

Follow-up materials, including discussion resources, session recordings and practical tools, will help parishes and deaneries reflect, plan over the coming weeks and months. You can find some of these already below.

Thank you again to everyone who attended, contributed, led worship, spoke, volunteered and worked behind the scenes to make Called and Sent possible.

Watch Archbishop Stephen’s message below.

The Revd Dr Tim Kelly, currently Rector of the Four Towers Benefice and Area Dean of Beverley, has been appointed as the next Archdeacon of the East Riding.

Tim, who previously served at Beverley Minster, brings wide experience of parish ministry, diocesan life, and supporting people as they explore God’s calling. He shared:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as the next Archdeacon of the East Riding. Serving in this part of the diocese over many years has given me a real love for the East Riding, and it will be a privilege to continue serving its churches and communities in this new role. I look forward to working alongside clergy, lay leaders and church officers across the archdeaconry.”

The Bishop of Hull, the Rt Revd Dr Eleanor Sanderson, welcomed the announcement:

“I am thankful to God for the continued Gospel partnerships through which we are called to serve Christ here in our diocese and in the East Riding.

“I look forward to serving with the Revd Dr Tim Kelly and continuing to seek the coming of God’s kingdom in our communities. His wisdom, humility, and many gifts will be a blessing to our churches and to all those they reach with the love of Jesus.”

Archbishop of York, the Most Hon and Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, said:

“I welcome the appointment of the Revd Dr Tim Kelly as Archdeacon of the East Riding. Tim will bring his ministry experience and local knowledge to support churches across the archdeaconry as they continue to serve in every community, living Christ’s Story together. Please join me in praying for Tim and his family.”

Alongside his parish ministry, Tim has served on the Diocesan Synod and on the diocese’s Vocations Team, supporting people exploring a call to ordained ministry. In recent years, he has also coordinated the Diocese’s Care of Candidates process, which supports people preparing for the Church of England’s national selection process for ordained ministry.

As Archdeacon, Tim will support local ministry across the East Riding, helping churches to grow in confidence as they serve their communities and share the good news of Jesus. He is expected to start in the post at the start of the new liturgical year.