Prayers for Dr Richard Shephard MBE
Prayers were said at York Minster today for Dr Richard Shephard, Lay Canon, former Head Master of The Minster School and distinguished composer of Church Music, who died yesterday.
Speaking to York Minster Community’s on the 10am Zoom service this morning, The Revd Michael Smith, Canon Pastor at York Minster said: “I am sorry to say that Richard Shephard, who most of you will know, died yesterday. He had been very ill for some time. He has been a part of the Minster Community for well over 30 years. He was Headmaster of the Minster School for many years, then he worked for the York Minster Fund and helped to raise well over £10,000,000 for the Great East Window amongst much else. He has sung in the choir and was Chamberlain for many years helping to lead Choral Evensong each day. In recent years he has been a member of Chapter.
“He was also a prolific composer of church music and is internationally renowned for that. He loved York Minster, his home is covered with paintings of it he collected over many years. We will miss him. We surround him with our love and prayers today and give thanks for his creativity, loyalty, friendship, humour and humanity.”
The Dean of York, the Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost led prayers for Dr Shephard at the 11am livestreamed service and there will also be prayers for Richard during the Evensong service which will also be livestreamed from 4pm this afternoon.
Journey through Lent with York Minster
York Minster today announced its programme of online worship for Lent, the period in the Church calendar leading to Holy Week and Easter, the most important festival for Christians around the world.
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (17 February). Explaining the significance of Lent, Canon Vicky Johnson, Precentor at York Minster said: “During this season of penitence and prayer, Christian people the world over prepare to enter into one of the most dramatic and engaging stories ever told. Every year, we participate in this story through prayer, fasting, sacrificial giving and study. We journey with Jesus as he is tempted in the wilderness and begins his public ministry which opens up to those who follow him a new way of living.”
Commenting on the cathedral’s approach to Lent this year, Vicky said: “This time of preparation will be observed in new as well as in traditional ways. There will be online worship, music and stillness, prayer and study. Through it all we will explore what it means to live Christ’s story. Wherever you are on your journey of faith, we hope you will live out this story with us. All are welcome.”
Join York Minster’s Journey through Lent online
A Service for Ash Wednesday (online only)
12 noon on Wednesday 17 February
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, when Christians traditionally reflect on their mortality and all those things which distance us from God. In this penitential service there will be an opportunity to reflect on our own journey of faith and how we might each turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ in our daily living.
This service will be available via livestream and people will be able to watch again throughout the day. Access the livestream here.
Sunday Sermon Series for Lent – ‘Living Christ’s Story’
During our livestreamed worship on Sundays through Lent, the Cathedral Clergy will reflect on the theme of ‘Living Christ’s Story’. Access all of these livestreams here.
11 am – Livestreamed Choral Eucharist, Sunday mornings throughout Lent
Every Sunday during Lent at the 11am Eucharist, a member of the Cathedral clergy will reflect on a different aspect of the Christian life and how we as a Community can engage and deepen in our response to the call to Prayer, Service, Stewardship and Hospitality as we seek to live Christ’s story. The Services will be sung by the Choir of York Minster.
Sunday 21 February Revd Catriona Cumming on Prayer
Sunday 28 February Canon Maggie McLean on Service
Sunday 7 March Canon Victoria Johnson on Stewardship
Sunday 14 March Canon Michael Smith on Hospitality
Sunday 21 March Rt Revd Jonathan Frost (Dean), on Living Christ’s Story.
Livestreamed Choral Evensong with Reflections
4pm – Sunday Evenings during Lent
During our livestreamed service of Choral Evensong each Sunday, the Cathedral Clergy will reflect more personally on what it means to them to live Christ’s story and in so doing, help us all reflect on our own journey with Christ.
Sunday 21 February Revd Abigail Davison, Cathedral Curate
Sunday 28 February Revd Catriona Cumming, Succentor
Sunday 7 March Canon Michael Smith, Pastor
Sunday 14 March Canon Maggie McLean, Missioner
Sunday 21 March Canon Victoria Johnson, Precentor
Stations of the Cross (online)
From Friday 26 March until Easter Day, Sunday 4 April.
Released each day at 12noon (excluding Holy Saturday)
The Stations of the Cross originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, tracing the path from Pilate’s house to Calvary. They would pause for prayer and devotion at various points. Eventually those pilgrims brought the practice back to their home countries and ever since, Christians of differing traditions have used this form of devotion. This year we make our pilgrimage online. We use stations created by students from St Peter’s School, York. Each station will be accompanied by a Bible reading, a piece of music, a short reflection, and a prayer.
Access Stations of the Cross here. The stations will also be released on our social media channels.
Further resources for Lent
To further explore the theme of Living’s Christ’s story, this year we recommend the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for personal reflection and study. Living His Story: Sharing the extraordinary love of God in ordinary ways by Hannah Steele (SPCK).
There are further Church of England Resources including apps, study guides and telephone based resources available to accompany us on our journey through Lent encouraging all Christians to think about their calling, how to share their faith and reflect on the difference Christ makes in their lives.
Visit www.churchofengland.org and follow #LiveLent on social media for further details.
York Minster is currently closed for public and private worship and sightseeing in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. To join our worship online visit www.yorkminster.org/whats-on.
York Minster’s commemoration for Holocaust Memorial Day 2021
‘Be the light in the darkness’
York Minster will release a short video on 27 January, featuring the Star of David lit in candles on the floor of the cathedral’s ancient Chapter House to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Filmed by Canon Maggie McLean, York Minster’s Canon Missioner, the un-narrated video focuses on the candlelight and the stillness of the Chapter House to explore the theme for this year’s events: ‘Be the light in the darkness’ with written material taken from the resources provided by www.hmd.org.uk. The video is accompanied by a musical reflection composed and played by Benjamin Morris, Assistant Director of Music at York Minster.
York will mark the day with a special online event – the York Holocaust Memorial Day Civic Event. Presented by the York Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Group, the University of York and City of York Council and hosted by the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Janet Looker and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of York Professor Charlie Jeffery, the free event will include talks and films reflecting on the forces that have triggered genocides and the courage of the individuals and communities that oppose and resist genocide past and present.
The speakers will include the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell and Student Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber and there will be a keynote speech by author Ariana Neumann who will reflect on the memoir When Time Stopped, which describes her father’s extraordinary escape from Nazi-occupied Prague.
Commenting on the event, Archbishop Stephen said:
“I’m humbled and honoured to be part of this Holocaust memorial event. In remembering these horrors and the millions of Jewish people – and others besides – who were slaughtered in the death camps of a wicked and godless regime, we commit ourselves, here in this city of sanctuary and in our nation, to building a world where these horrors are never repeated.
“We do this, first of all, by the very act of remembering: by looking – painful and distressing though it is – at the human capacity for evil, and the terrible ways we divide ourselves against one another, on grounds of nation, ethnicity and religion, and particularly the way throughout history that Jewish people have been stigmatised and persecuted.
“We also remember that each of those who died was a beloved mother, father, son, daughter – someone with whom we share a common humanity and with whom, for the sake of their memory and for the building of a better world of justice and inclusion, commit ourselves to change.”
The Holocaust Memorial Trust is also encouraging people to light a candle and place it safely in their windows at 8pm on Holocaust Memorial Day to remember everyone murdered in genocidal events and to stand against prejudice and hatred today.
York Minster’s short video for Holocaust Memorial Day will be available from Wednesday 27 January here.
The York Holocaust Memorial Day Civic Event Online will take place on Wednesday 27 January from 7pm to 8.15pm online. To book your ticket, please visit york.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/public-lectures.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s social media campaign #LightTheDarkness and #HolocaustMemorialDay will run throughout 27 January. For more information, visit hmd.org.uk. Twitter: @HMD_UK
Join the Archbishop of York at a Service for Candlemas
The Archbishop of York, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, will preside at an act of worship for the Feast of Candlemas, which will be livestreamed from York Minster on Sunday 31st January at 4pm.
Candlemas, marks the end of the season of Christmas and Epiphany and recalls the Presentation of Christ in the temple forty days after his birth. In their old age, the prophets Simeon and Anna who witnessed the event, recognised the child Jesus as their Lord. Jesus is proclaimed as the Light of the World and at the same time, there is a hint of his future suffering as he turns from the crib to the cross. The service of Candlemas allows us to hold on to Christ, the Light of the World and to pray for the light of God’s love to shine upon us and the world in all of its need. Those watching the service are encouraged to light a candle and pray for the blessing of light in the year ahead.
Archbishop Stephen said: “I love the story of Christ’s presentation in the Temple – it is a story about recognition and purpose. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon recognises the infant Jesus as the Messiah. God’s purposes are revealed in weakness and helplessness, in a child, a baby. But this child will be a light, not just to Israel, but to the Gentiles – that is, to everyone. Jesus is the light of all the world. Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel and they now extend to all humanity.”
You can join York Minster’s Candlemas Service in the following ways:
Livestream:
Sunday 31st January at 4pm at Candlemas: A Light in the Darkness and on our YouTube channel. The Order of Service will also be available for download.
Catch up any time:
The service will be streamed again on Tuesday 2nd February (Feast of Candlemas), via our Facebook and YouTube channel and will then be available on both platforms for viewing at any time.
York Minster closes to the public, with worship offered online
We are now closed for public services, private prayer and sightseeing. We will also continue to livestream Sunday services at 11am and 4pm via our YouTube channel, so you can join the services from home.
York Minster has closed to the public from today (Tuesday 12 January) until further notice in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The cathedral closed to sightseeing visitors on 31 December when York moved into tier three, but has now also closed for public services and private prayer.
Clergy will continue to offer prayer on a daily basis. You are welcome to join the Minster Community on Zoom to offer Morning and Evening Prayer, Monday to Friday at 8am and 5pm. These are simple, said services comprising the Daily Offices which are normally said in the Cathedral. We would be glad to welcome you to the community.
If you would like to find out more about joining the praying community at York Minster please email Canon Maggie McLean who will be pleased to tell you more missioner@yorkminster.org.
Services will be livestreamed on Sundays so people can join worship from their homes.
The Dean of York, The Right Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, said: “We feel this is the right decision in the current climate to keep our staff, volunteers, visitors and congregations safe.
“We will review the decision on a regular basis. In the meantime, our clergy will continue to keep the regular pattern of daily prayer and we will continue to offer worship online so people can join us from the comfort of their own homes.”
Members of the public can send a prayer to be said by a member of the clergy by emailing prayer@yorkminster.org.
Dean’s Park, the green space to the north of the cathedral, will remain open on a daily basis from 10am to 4pm.
UPDATE: Services and sightseeing throughout the National Lockdown
Amended timings for private prayer and services at York Minster
Please find amended timings for services and private prayer in line with the Government’s new measures to control the pandemic. The cathedral will remain open for public worship and for private prayer. However, the building will be closed for sightseeing until further notice.
Booking is required for Matins, Eucharist and Evening Prayer on Sundays and free tickets are available here. Eucharist and Evening Prayer are livestreamed every Sunday via our YouTube channel.
The new timings for services and public prayer up to and including Friday 5 March are as follows:
Tuesday 5th January
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
Closed for private prayer
17:30: Evening Prayer
Wednesday 6th January, Epiphany:
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
12:00 – Midday Communion cancelled
15:00 – 16:30: open for Private Prayer (Nave)
16:00: Evening Prayer (Zouche)
17:30: Epiphany Eucharist (Nave)
Thursday 7th January:
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
16:30 – 17:30 open for Private Prayer (Nave)
17:30: Evening Prayer (Nave)
Friday 8th January:
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
16:30 – 17:30 open for Private Prayer (Nave)
17:30: Evening Prayer (Nave)
Saturday 9th January:
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
16:30: open for Private Prayer (Nave)
17:30: Evening Prayer (Nave)
Sunday 10th January:
08:00: BCP Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:00: Matins (Quire) (with adult choir)
11:00: Eucharist (Nave) (with adult choir)
14:00 – 15:00: Private Prayer (Nave)
16:00: Evensong (Nave) (with adult choir)
Monday 11th January:
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
16:30 – 17:30: open for Private Prayer
17:30: Evening Prayer
Tuesday 12th January:
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
16:30 – 17:30: open for Private Prayer
17:30: Evening Prayer
Wednesday 13th January
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
16:30 – 17:30: open for Private Prayer
17:30: Evening Prayer
Thursday 14th January to Friday 5th March:
Monday – Saturday:
07:30: Morning Prayer
07:50: Holy Communion
16:30 – 17:30: open for Private Prayer
17:30: Evening Prayer
Sunday:
08:00: BCP Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:00: Matins (Quire) (with adult choir)
11:00: Eucharist (Nave) (with adult choir)
14:00 – 15:00: Private Prayer (Nave)
16:00: Evensong (Nave) (with adult choir)
The Minster Shop will be closed from today until further notice, but our online shop remains open here. The Old Palace Library and Archive service is closed for public access: staff are working remotely, with limited capacity, and can be contacted via collections@yorkminster.org. Dean’s Park will continue to open daily from 10am until 4pm. People using the park will be required to adhere to Government guidance on social distancing.
Timings for services and public prayer will be regularly reviewed and updated.
York Minster Bells to stay silent on New Year’s Eve
The Chapter of York has confirmed that there will no bells at York Minster to ring in the New Year. The announcement reinforces the City of York’s strategy to prevent gatherings and maintain physical distancing in order to control the spread of the Covid-19 infection in the city of York and the wider region.
Recent Government guidance and direction from the Central Council of Bell Ringing, gives exceptional permission for bell ringing at places of worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day only, in line with local restrictions. The Tier 2 restrictions in York, allow only six bells to be rung at York Minster on those two days. Ringing on New Year’s Eve is not permitted.
The Revd Canon Vicky Johnson, Canon Precentor, at York Minster, said: “The Minster’s bell ringers will be taking a rest this New Year’s Eve and will be celebrating the arrival of 2021 in their homes. The automatic chimes on the Minster’s Great Peter Bell will be switched off as normal from 8pm until 8am.”
Urging everyone to bring in the New Year at home, Vicky continued:
“This most unusual and difficult year will draw to a very quiet close. The Minster will be quiet and still on New Year’s Eve. So for this year, we’re asking everyone not to gather at the Minster or elsewhere in the city. Please stay safe and celebrate the New Year at home with your loved ones.
“We must then all hope and pray that 2021 will be a better and kinder year.”
Consecration of the Bishop of Berwick – Tuesday 5 January 2021
The Venerable Mark Wroe, currently Archdeacon of Northumberland, will be consecrated as the next Suffragan Bishop of Berwick in the Diocese of Newcastle at York Minster at 11am on Tuesday 5 January 2021, the Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany.
The Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, will preside and preach at the service, assisted by the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Revd Christine Hardman and the Bishop of Chester, the Right Revd Mark Tanner.
The consecration service will take place in the context of the Eucharist and will include readings, prayers, music and a sermon.
The service will be held under careful guidelines because of the Coronavirus pandemic with strict limits on the numbers attending.
The service will be live-streamed making it possible for Mark’s family and friends unable to be present and members of the worldwide Christian family to experience the occasion in real time.
Archbishop Stephen said: “I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has accepted the nomination of the Venerable Mark Wroe as the next Suffragan Bishop of Berwick. Mark has a heart for the people of God in the North East. His compassion, dedication and energy will inspire others in growing church and in building hope. I pray he will continue to be a blessing to the Diocese of Newcastle in his new role”.
Commenting on his forthcoming consecration, Mark said: “It’s an extraordinary privilege to become the Bishop of Berwick and humbling to be consecrated at York Minster on the eve of Epiphany. I am very much looking forward to serving God alongside Bishop Christine in a diocese I know and love.
“These continue to be challenging times, with so many people concerned for loved ones and livelihoods, yet the Church has such deep hope and joy in Jesus Christ to offer everyone. I look forward to working with all those in our communities who seek to work together for a more compassionate society, sharing our hope and faith in Christ with humility, wisdom and courage.”
The livestream for Mark’s consecration service will be available on the York Minster website from 11am on Tuesday 5 January 2021 at www.yorkminster.org. The Order of Service will also be available for download on the day.
Final public consultation for York Minster Neighbourhood Plan
The York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan Pre-Submission document is published today for public consultation. This final phase of public consultation for the plan will run from today (16 December) until Sunday 14 February 2021.
This consultation consolidates the responses and proposals submitted as part of the Chapter of York’s announcement on the future of the York Minster Precinct launched in May 2018, and the subsequent draft Neighbourhood Plan developed with the oversight of the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum from 2019 until January 2020. The Coronavirus Pandemic has had a significant impact both on the schedule for the consultation process and on the Minster’s original proposals.
Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster explained:
“In January 2020, we consulted on the Pre-Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan. The approved Plan was broadly very well received by the city with the principal comments focussed on highways and cycling within the Precinct. The process has been on hold since March 2020 in light of the Covid-19 crisis, a key consequence of which has been the closure of the Minster School.
“As a result, the Neighbourhood Plan needs to be amended to take account of the school estate which means a significant change to Area 1 of the Plan, the area to the south of the Minster. A principal change is the proposal to convert the Old Song School into a new Refectory as well as create new public space for residents and visitors to enjoy. A new ticket and box office will also be created. This is a material change to the Pre-Submission Draft and therefore we need to bring the Plan back to the Forum for comment before placing on public deposit.
Commenting on the consultation, Mark Calvert, a local resident and Chair of the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum, said the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan has always been about creating a more sustainable future for the Minster and its Precinct. Mark said:
“The Neighbourhood Plan will provide a long-term policy framework and a co-ordinated spatial plan. This will guide York Minster in managing its limited resources appropriately to maintain a viable and sustainable business model, to support the ongoing care of the Minster over the next 15 years and beyond. Importantly, the Neighbourhood Plan gives residents and businesses the opportunity to create a shared sustainable vision of how they would like the Precinct to develop over the next 15 years and this Plan is the culmination of almost three years work and 22 weeks of public consultation.
“This will be the last opportunity for people to have their say on the proposals before they go to City of York Council. I urge local residents to get involved in shaping this work.”
In May 2018, the Chapter of York, the governing body for York Minster, launched a public consultation on the future development and use of the buildings and land within the York Minster Precinct and boundaries.
Following consultation and detailed collaboration with the Minster’s immediate neighbours and statutory bodies, a neighbourhood forum, comprised of those who live and work in the Precinct, was established in 2019, to scrutinise the proposals to ensure that they were viable, sustainable and appropriate for the needs of the local community.
Now 66-strong, the York Minster Neighbourhood Forum, has given its formal approval for the Pre-Submission Document published today. Comments are particularly sought on:
- Revised Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan
- The Updated Sustainability appraisal
- Heritage Impact Assessment.
How to respond to the consultation
- The public consultation on the York Minster Neighbourhood Precinct Plan – Pre Submission Draft runs from Wednesday 16 December until 12 midnight on Sunday 14th February 2021. To comment on the consultation online go to: https://yorkminster.org/about-us/master-planning/
- Consultation boards will also be part of a public exhibition at York Minster. The boards will be on display on the Queen’s Path, York Minster, during the consultation period.
Add your message to York Minster’s Christmas Trees
Join our What3Words Appeal
A recent and popular Advent and Christmas tradition at York Minster – decorating the cathedral’s Christmas trees with message tags from local people expressing their hopes, love and wishes for Advent and Christmas – will continue this year with a digital twist in the form of the What3Words Christmas appeal.
Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund said:
“People loved coming to the Minster to write their messages on a little tag and see it tied on to one of our Christmas trees. Advent and Christmas is a time of celebration and joy but it can also be a poignant and tough time for many. Knowing that their special message would be present inside the cathedral right through until Epiphany was a source of great comfort for many people.
“This has been an extremely tough year. Everyone will be experiencing a different kind of Christmas. Our normal patterns and traditions have had to be adapted and we have had to find new ways of ensuring that people have that sense of presence in the Minster.
“Despite Advent being different this year, people have told us that they still want to get involved and that they still want their messages to be inside the Minster this Christmas. So we’re giving the tags a Christmassy and digital makeover with our “What3Words” Christmas appeal.”
Inspired by the what3words app, the Minster is inviting people to try to sum up their Christmas prayers, feelings or greetings in three words and then submit their message to us. Their three words will then be attached to a gold star and tied onto one of the Christmas trees in the Minster’s Nave.
Neil continued:
“Just as the star safely guided the three kings to the place where Jesus was born, today, the What3Words app guides modern rescuers to those who are lost. So we would like people to try express their message in three words: they could be names, prayers, a location – anything that gives expression to what they are feeling this Christmas. We would love people to tell their friends and family so that they can also have a star in the Minster this Christmas.
Concluding, Neil said: “We are grateful to what3words for inspiring our appeal and also to York Christmas Trees who generously donated the Christmas trees in the Nave, which will soon be decorated with What3Words messages.
“We want everyone to join in, it is completely free. However, we would very grateful for any donations that people are able to give. The Covid-19 restrictions are expected to cost the Minster £100,000 this Advent and Christmas. Public support is therefore more important than ever. Thank You.”
For more information about What3Words, York Minster’s Christmas Appeal for 2020 and how to submit a message to be tied onto the Minster’s Christmas trees go to stars.yorkminster.org
what3words is an app that points to a very specific location. Its developers divided the world into 57 trillion squares, each measuring 3m by 3m (10ft by 10ft) and each having a unique, randomly assigned three-word address. To find out more about What3words go to www.what3words.com
York Minster launches Chorister auditions for 2021
York school pupils currently in Year 3 and Year 4 and who love singing are encouraged to audition for a place in York Minster’s world famous choir and the chance to be educated at St Peter’s School, York, and the Choir School for York Minster since September 2020.
Children joining the choir, which is made up of 16 boys, 16 girls and 12 adult singers, will be part of an internationally renowned team of singers whose voices are an essential part of worship at the cathedral. The choristers are trained by Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster.
Choristers perform at services, high profile occasions, events and concerts. They will also have the opportunity to take part in broadcasts for national media organisations such as BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, recordings for classical music labels and to tour abroad.
York Minster’s choristers receive an excellent education at St Peter’s School. The Chapter of York provides a bursary for each chorister with means-tested funding potentially increasing the level of funding to 100%.
Robert Sharpe explained that the process aims to identify children with musicality and potential, rather than recruiting fully formed singers. He said:
“There will be many parents in and around York with a son or daughter who just loves singing and who may be searching for ways to nurture their child’s ability. Becoming a chorister at York Minster is an excellent way to harness a child’s musical talent. Energy, enthusiasm and humour are just as important as musical talent.
“In addition to developing their musical skills, chorister training helps children to develop lifelong skills such as self-discipline, organisational skills, concentration, poise and attention to detail. Choristers are educated at St Peter’s School which shares a common foundation of 627AD with the Minster, and is the fourth oldest school in the world.
“This is a unique opportunity for a child to have a superb education and to play a part in the life of one of the most important and beautiful cathedrals in the world.”
Commenting on the auditions, Jeremy Walker, Head Master of St Peter’s School York said:
“The experience of being a chorister at York Minster, combined with an education at St Peter’s, offers wonderful opportunities for girls and boys with musical talents and interests. I have first-hand appreciation of the incredible experience this provides, as a former chorister parent myself and Head Master of two cathedral choir schools, and encourage you and your families to find out more and consider an application.”
About the 2021 Chorister Auditions
York Minster’s 2021 Chorister Auditions will be held in the week commencing 18th January 2021 at St Peter’s School, Clifton, York YO30 6AB. For an application pack and more details, contact Sara Bath, Master’s PA, on 01904 527391 or email s.bath@stpetersyork.org.uk
York Minster to reopen for Advent and Christmas
For all sight-seeing, book HERE. Please note the Heart of Yorkshire exhibition will recommence on 5 December.
For all Sunday services, book HERE
Full Advent and Christmas programme (in-person and online) available to view HERE
York Minster will reopen for public worship on Wednesday 2 December and for sightseeing visits on Thursday 3 December. The cathedral will reopen in line with guidance and the restrictions in the Government’s new three tier Covid control system. York is a Tier 2 location which allows the Minster to reopen for worship and for paying visitors, with appropriate measures in place for social distancing and controlling the spread of the infection.
The Revd Canon Vicky Johnson, Precentor at York Minster said: “It is a blessing and a relief that worship and visiting can restart at York Minster and that we will be present for people as they prepare for Advent and Christmas,.”
Vicky explained that the impact of the pandemic will result in a very different Advent and Christmas at York Minster. She said: “The ongoing need to control the virus means that capacity at services will be severely limited. Attendance at key services on Sundays and in Christmas Week will only be possible via our pre-booked online reservation system.
“However, digital worship has flourished at York Minster this year so all of our Advent and Christmas services and events, will be available digitally via livestream and on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. So everyone will still be able to experience and enjoy Advent and Christmas at York Minster wherever they are.”
The cathedral’s reopening schedule is as follows:
For Worship
Public worship will restart at York Minster on Wednesday 2 December with the following pattern of services:
Monday – Saturdays
7.30am – Matins No booking required
7.50am – Holy Communion No booking required
5.30pm – Evensong or Evening Prayer No booking required until 15 December for Evensongs.
Sundays
8am – Holy Communion No booking required
10am – Matins Booking required
11am – Sung Eucharist Booking required
4pm – Evensong. Booking required.
Reservations for Sunday services and services during Christmas Week
Attendance at the three main Sunday services in December and services during Christmas Week will be by advance online reservation only with a strictly limited attendance. Reservations for the service on Sunday 6 December will open on Monday 30 November. The reservation dates for services during December and Christmas weeks will be announced approximately two weeks before the service is due to take place.
Reopening for Visitors
York Minster will reopen for paying visitors from Thursday 3 December. Admission by pre-booked online tickets only. Bookings open for visiting on Monday 30 November.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
10am until 3.30pm (last timed ticket slot is 3pm).
(York Minster is currently closed on Tuesdays).
Sunday
12.30 until 2.30pm (last timed ticket slot is 2pm).
The Minster Shops inside the cathedral and at Minster Gates will also open daily:
Main Shop
Mon – Sat : 10:30 – 4:30
Sunday : 12:30 – 4:00
No9
Mon – Sat : 10:30 – 4:30
Sunday : 11:00 – 4:00
Dean’s Park,
The popular green space which runs along the north side of the cathedral, is open daily from 10am until 4pm.
Keeping people safe: Covid-19 control measures at York Minster
In line with Government and Church of England guidance, York Minster has implemented a range of measures to help keep visitors and staff safe. These include:
- compulsory wearing of masks inside the Minster
- limiting the number of people allowed inside
- reduced seating
- a one-way system to allow people to physically distance from one another
- hand sanitizer points
- additional cleaning measures
- staff and clergy wearing face masks and visors
- worshippers attending public services will also be asked to leave their name and contact details to assist with the NHS Test and Trace programme, in line with Government guidance.
Changes to services include no singing or sharing of the Peace and the suspension of the Common Cup during Holy Communion will continue. There will also be no plate collection at the end of services, although people are encouraged to make a donation using contactless donation points inside the cathedral.
Parts of the cathedral will remain closed including the Central Tower and Undercroft Museum and there will be no guided tours.
The Minster has been approved for the UK-wide ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard, launched this week by national tourism organisations for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which demonstrates it is adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance.
York Minster’s arrangements for worship and visiting will come into effect from Wednesday 2 December but may be subject to change following any further Government advice.