York Minster is a living church with a thriving community made up of people of all ages. For many, York Minster is their regular place of worship, as part of one or more of our Sunday and weekday congregations.

There are lots of ways to get involved with the Minster Community.

York Minster Worshipping Community Roll

To comply with the new governance regime introduced by the 2021 Cathedrals Measure, we closed our former Community Roll in January 2023 and replaced it with a new Worshipping Community Roll.  Everyone who is (1) baptised and aged 16 or over, and (2) has attended Minster services regularly for 6 months is eligible to join the new Roll (and ‘attend’ in this context can include joining the Minster’s services via our live-stream facility).

Names are not automatically transferred onto the new Worshipping Community Roll from our former Roll – a new application form must be completed.  Printed application forms are available from the Vestry and can also be downloaded via the link below.

The Worshipping Community Roll is primarily an electoral register – we hold elections of lay people to represent us on the York Deanery Synod every three years – the next Deanery Synod election will be held in 2026.

The governance reforms introduced by the 2021 Cathedrals Measure also require Chapter to review the role and membership of the representative groups through which we consult members of our Community and involve them in our engagement work and wider ministry.  We have created a new group charged with building up the worshipping community at York called the Community Matters Forum, which will be launched with an election process in September 2024 – full details to follow.  The Forum’s Terms of Reference are available HERE.

For more information about our Worshipping Community Roll please contact Andy Oates, Chapter Clerk, at 8-9 Minster Yard, York, YO1 7HH (email chapterclerk@yorkminster.org or direct line 01904 557210).

Subscribe to receive the Community Notice Sheet by email

You can receive the community Notice Sheet direct to your inbox each week

Subscribe here.

Meeting and Learning

One of the easiest ways to get to know people is to chat with us after any of our services. We would be delighted to talk to you about what is going on in the Minster and what might interest you.

The Minster Community Walking Group is an active group of all ages who walk every first Saturday of the month and welcomes new members. For more information and details of the next walk, visit the York Minster Walkers’ website

Children, young people and families

We are delighted to welcome children to worship with us throughout the week. We want to provide ways for children and families to worship together at York Minster.

In term time, two groups meet monthly during the 11am service:

Minster Community groups

There are a number of Minster Community groups that make valuable and much-appreciated contributions to various areas of the cathedral’s life.

Sub-groups

The Social Action Group was set up to develop and organise events and activities that promote, encourage and challenge the whole of the Minster’s Community and congregations to engage in effective social action in whatever way they can.

We are currently actively supporting HOPE Africa, a charity which was initiated by our companion link dioceses in SA; Mustard Seed, a York Diocese based organisation which works in the poorest parts of our diocese; and a variety of Refugee charities based in the City of York.  Thank you for your generosity.

The Social Group exists to organise and run a programme of affordable events to foster a sense of community within the congregation, staff and volunteers. Events include talks, visits, musical evenings and a Harvest Supper and Barn Dance. Tickets are sold after the 11am Sunday Eucharist service, usually in the North Transept over coffee, or by emailing communitysocial@yorkminster.org.