York Minster’s private prayer and digital services for lockdown
York Minster will close for services and sightseeing from this evening until at least Wednesday 2 December, in line with the Government’s new measures to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The Minster will continue to offer Christian worship, fellowship, music and reflection through its digital channels during the lockdown.
We will be livestreaming our 11am Eucharist and 4pm Evensong services every Sunday. You can find the Sunday livestreams HERE
The cathedral itself will only be open for private prayer. Dean’s Park will stay open and people using the park will be required to adhere to Government guidance on social distancing.
Commenting on the second national lockdown, The Dean of York, Jonathan Frost said: “Once again we find ourselves facing challenging times in the life of our nation. It is a moment that will require every one of us to make sacrifices to keep our loved ones and our communities safe. This second lockdown will undoubtedly draw out of us, new acts of neighbourliness, thoughtfulness and mutual support.
“This time round, we are better prepared as a nation and as a Church, to support and carry each other through this phase. I am delighted that the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has encouraged all of us to make this second period of lockdown a time of prayer. It is my hope that the Minster’s many friends across the city and the north will find encouragement for their prayers in the resources available on the websites of both York Minster and the Church of England.
“The Church will continue in a host of ways: through its support of food banks, through its care for the bereaved and the lonely and in prayer for the nation and its leaders at this time. We look forward to reopening on 2 December.”
From Thursday 5 November until Tuesday 1 December, York Minster will be open as follows:
For private prayer only (except Tuesdays when the Minster is closed all day)
- 10am until 12 noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- 1pm until 3pm on Sunday
Dean’s Park
- Open from 10am until 4pm (closing at dusk).
Essential construction activity at York Minster such as work on the South Quire Aisle and the final phases of the restoration of the Grand Organ, will continue in line with Government guidance. The majority of the Minster’s staff will be put on furlough with the remainder working from home.
Remembrance Sunday at York Minster
Remembrance Sunday at York Minster
Livestream of service of thanksgiving and commemoration
A simple service of thanksgiving and commemoration for Remembrance Sunday will be livestreamed from York Minster on Sunday 8 November. The service will now be held without a congregation in line with the Government’s new national restrictions to control the spread of the Covid-19 infection.
The Archbishop of York, The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, will preach at the service which will include the act of commemoration and the national two minutes silence. Only those required for the service will be permitted inside the cathedral on the day.
Commenting on the revised arrangements for the service, York Minster’s Precentor, Canon Vicky Johnson, said: “Now more than ever, we must find ways to keep the people of this country connected to the great traditions that have shaped our history and all of our lives.
“Livestreaming this simple service of thanksgiving and commemoration will make it possible for the people of the City of York and the region to be present in real-time, to pay their respects and to give their thanks for the duty and sacrifice of members of our Armed Services past and present.”
Prayers will be said for the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Air Force, Veterans, the Royal British Legion York and the City of York.
On the same day at 4pm, a service of Digital Evensong will be broadcast from St John’s Chapel in York Minster. St John’s Chapel is a significant place of remembrance for the Military Community in the city and the service will be led by the Revd Richard Hall, Chaplain to the 2nd Signal Regiment and York Garrison and the Revd D J Barrett CF, Assistant Chaplain General, 1st (United Kingdom) Division, Imphal Barracks, York. Music will be provided by the Choir of York Minster.
Access to the Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for Remembrance Sunday
The service will be livestreamed from 10.30am on Sunday 8 November. Go to York Minster’s social media accounts or www.yorkminster.org for details on the day.
Access to the Digital Evensong for Remembrance Sunday
The service will be livestreamed from 4pm on Sunday 8 November. Go to York Minster’s social media accounts or www.yorkminster.org for details on the day.
Service of thanksgiving and commemoration for Remembrance Sunday at York Minster
A simple service of thanksgiving and commemoration for Remembrance Sunday will be held at York Minster on Sunday 8 November.
The service will include the act of commemoration and the national two minutes silence. The Archbishop of York, The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell will preach and the service will be attended by members of the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Air Force, Veterans, the Royal British Legion York, and York’s Civic Party.
Admission to the service will be strictly by pre-booked ticket to manage the numbers inside the cathedral in line with Government and Church of England Covid-19 secure guidelines. The service will be livestreamed from 10.30am making it possible for those who would normally attend the service to experience the occasion in real time.
Commenting on the service, Canon Maggie McLean, Canon Missioner at York Minster said:
“Attendance at this year’s service will be severely limited by the Coronavirus restrictions, but we invite people to join us via the livestream to pray and to give thanks for the duty and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, past and present.”
Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said: “We understand that many people will want to show their thanks and respect on the day. This year’s service will be quite different to previous years, without the usual parade and a scaled down service. We hope that the livestream of the service will give people a chance to take part from home.
“It is important that we mark this occasion with the respect it deserves, whilst doing all we can to ensure that our city, friends and family are safe. We want to thank residents for their support and understanding whilst they show their respect in their own way.”
The Revd Richard Hall, Padre, 2nd Signal Regiment and York Garrison said:
“For the military community here in York, very aware of the current challenges facing so many, it is really good to have the opportunity to participate in a remembrance service in the Minster. Though only a representative few of us can attend, hopefully many of us can watch it online, as we remember those who served, and who currently serve, on front lines past and present.”
Access to the service
There will be a very limited number of free tickets for this service to help us safely manage the numbers inside the cathedral. These will need to be booked in advance from www.yorkminster.org and will be available from Saturday 31 October. The service will be livestreamed from 10.30am on Sunday 8 November. Go to York Minster’s social media accounts or www.yorkminster.org for details on the day.
Events for the Season of Remembrance 2020 at York Minster
Remembrance of those we love, including those who have died during the pandemic, and those who have given their lives in past conflicts, will be at the heart of the Season of Remembrance at York Minster this year.
The season begins on Saturday 31st October with a service of Evensong on the Eve of All Saints Day which is celebrated fully on Sunday 1st November. All the services in the Minster on All Saint’s Day will commemorate the lives of the Saints who have gone before us, people in the life of the church throughout the ages who have inspired faith, hope and love in the lives of those around them. Services on Sunday 1st will be 8am Holy Communion, 10am Choral Matins, 11am Solemn Eucharist for All Saints and Choral Evensong at 4pm. Tickets for these services can be booked via the Website.
On All Soul’s Day, Monday 2 November, there will be a Day to remember those who have died this year. The grief of bereavement has, this year, been amplified by the impact of the pandemic, with many people prevented from being with their loved one in their last hours and then having to navigate restrictions on funerals and memorial services. The recently bereaved will be welcomed into the Minster to remember their loved ones.
A space will be created inside the cathedral for people to sit quietly, to reflect, to pray and to light a candle for their dead. The day will conclude with the Minster’s annual Requiem Eucharist for All Soul’s Day at which we always remember loved ones who have died. At this service we will light a special candle for all who have died so far during the pandemic. This candle will burn at our major services over Advent and Christmas as a symbol of all those who have died this year and are being missed as we travel through Advent and as we celebrate Christmas.
From Monday 2 November, People We Love, a new commission by York based arts group KMA, will open at the Minster as part of York Medialé’s 2020 international media arts festival. The installation will create a temporary ‘congregation’ made up of a collection of five, large, high definition screens which will showcase a series of video portraits of York citizens. The portraits are focused on people who have been filmed looking at a photograph of someone they love. Viewers of People We Love will never find out who the subject is looking at. The viewer will simply experience the emotion on the face being projected before them allowing them to interpret each unspoken story. Visitors will also be able to add their story to the installation as a pop-up booth will be on-site, ready to capture the love stories of the city without the need for words. The work will resonate deeply in a year overshadowed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday 8 November, there will be a short Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for those who served and those who died during the First and Second World Wars. The simple Service of Remembrance will include the act of commemoration and two minutes silence. The Archbishop of York, The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell will preach and the service will be attended by members of the British Army, the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Royal British, York and York Civic Party.
The service will be ticketed and will be held under careful Government and Church of England Covid19 secure guidelines with strict limits on the numbers attending. The service will be livestreamed from 10.30am making it possible for those who would normally attend the service to experience the occasion in real time.
A service of Evensong with the Enthronement of the Archbishop of York
The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, will be enthroned as the 98th Archbishop of York at a service of Evensong at 4pm on Sunday 18 October at York Minster.
The Enthronement will take place on the Feast day of St Luke, Apostle and Evangelist. Choral Evensong, one of the Church of England’s fastest growing services, is often considered a jewel in the crown of Anglican worship. Much of the service will be sung by the adult singers of the Minster Choir and there will be readings, music and prayers. Elements of the service will be based on previous historic enthronements and Archbishop Stephen will take his oath on the York Gospels.
This is a ticketed service and will be held under careful Government and Church of England Covid19 secure guidelines, with strict limits on the numbers attending.
The service will be streamed via York Minster’s and the Church of England’s national social media channels making it possible for communities across the Diocese of York, the Northern Province and the worldwide household of the Christian Church to experience the occasion in real time.
Stephen was confirmed as Archbishop of York on 9 July 2020, in a Confirmation of Election service broadcast entirely via video conference. He walked as a pilgrim through the city of York, praying first at the shrine of St Margaret Clitherow and then at the tomb of St William of York in the crypt of York Minster, before taking up the historic Braganza Crozier – his staff of office – from the cathedral’s High Altar.
Archbishop Stephen had previously expressed hope that an improvement in the pandemic might enable a large public enthronement service to be held at York Minster. However, three months into his role and with the country still on high alert, Archbishop Stephen is completing the final stage of becoming an Archbishop, taking up his seat in the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York, in a simple service of Evensong.
Archbishop Stephen said: “I am delighted and humbled to be the 98th Archbishop of York. I have begun my ministry at a time of huge hardship and challenge and at the moment Covid19 is having a particularly devastating impact in the north. We don’t know how long the current restrictions will be in place. However, the worship and work of the church goes on bringing much needed hope, relief and practical help to the communities we serve. I am hugely thankful for the tenacity and creativity of our churches. I pray daily that we make Jesus known to all whom we meet, even if it is via Zoom! I pledge to give my best powers of wit, energy and creativity so that we may become a more Christ-centred and Jesus shaped Church, witnessing to Christ and bringing the healing balm of the Gospel to our nation.”
The Dean of York, The Right Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, said that even in a reduced format, Archbishop Stephen’s enthronement will be both moving and significant. Jonathan said:
“Archbishop Stephen’s arrival has, like everything else in our lives at the moment, been affected by the constraints of the pandemic. So we are doing traditional things in new ways and we are learning to take this perspective into every part of our life. Archbishop Stephen radiates the joy, light and Good News of Christ wherever he goes. I’m quite sure it will be a wonderful occasion.”
Commenting on the enthronement, The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby said:
“As Archbishop Stephen takes his oath on the York Gospels, he will be placing his hand over gospels that have survived over a thousand years, including through many times of struggle and suffering. It is this same Gospel that the Church is being called to live out and proclaim today. We are to follow Jesus to the side of those who weep, and weep with them. We are to come alongside those who mourn, and comfort them. Most importantly we are being called to keep alive in our hearts the hope and light of Christ, which no darkness can overcome – and to be bearers of that light in our nation and our world today.
“Even in these times of pain and struggle, it is a great joy for the Church to welcome Archbishop Stephen into his new ministry. He is a wise, courageous and faithful servant of Jesus Christ who will be a blessing to the north of England and the Nation. Archbishop Stephen and his family will be very much in my prayers as he prepares to be enthroned at York Minster.”
Because of the major organ work being carried out in the Quire, Archbishop Stephen will use the historic Garbett Throne, situated in the Nave of York Minster, for this enthronement. The Episcopal Throne was designed by Sir Albert Richardson in memory of Archbishop Cyril Garbett (Archbishop of York, 1942-1955) and has been used as the Nave seat of the Archbishop of York since 1959. The inscription on the throne reads Vos non elegistis me sed ego elegi vos, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you”, Christ’s words to His first apostles. Archbishop Stephen will deliver his first public sermon from his seat in the Cathedral and inaugurate his ministry of teaching and mission.
The following prayer will be said for Archbishop Stephen:
“Almighty and most merciful God, you have poured down your gifts upon us, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers for the building up of your church here on earth. We pray for your servant Stephen, that by your grace, he may be ready to share the good news of the gospel, and with humility and wisdom use his authority to draw others to the way of Christ, through the same Jesus Christ, who is the same, yesterday, today and forever, Amen.”
Watch the service HERE
Take “Your Next Step” – York Minster’s four week Zoom course
Curious about the Christian faith?
Take “Your Next Step” – York Minster’s four week Zoom course
A new four week short course on Zoom for people wanting to find out more about the Christian faith will be launched by York Minster in October. The course is the first in series of three for autumn 2020 and winter and spring 2021.
“Your Next Step” will provide a safe and supportive online space for conversations and questions about the Christian faith, God, living life as a Christian and how faith can support and sustain them through life’s stages and challenges.
The four week short course will be hosted on Zoom by Canon Maggie McLean, York Minster’s Canon Missioner. Maggie, who joined the Minster’s clergy team last year, set up the course after meeting York locals and tourists visiting the Minster.
Maggie explained: “Visiting York Minster as a worshipper, tourist or as a pilgrim often sparks feelings and questions about faith which can be inspirational, uplifting, troubling and even challenging. Many people want to know more and enquire further but are not sure where to turn for help and we wanted to provide people with a way
“Your Next Step” creates an online space for people to explore and learn more about the Christian faith. Through worship, discussion, listening and sharing we aim to offer a deepening and enriching experience of the Christian faith. This course is for everyone: the curious, confused and those already committed.
Describing the course Maggie said: “The content will be based on the Church of England’s Pilgrim material. Each session will provide an opportunity to have a conversation and ask questions about what Christians believe and how that belief shapes what they think and how they act in their daily life. The course will include passages from the Bible and video reflections from guests including The Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York. This will be a safe environment where we will listen and learn and hopefully enjoy conversation about faith, God and what it means to be a Christian today.”
Course dates and joining information for “Your Next Steps”
Autumn 2020 – Thursdays in October – 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
Winter 2021 – Thursday 7th, 14th 21st January and Thursday 4th February
Spring 2021 – Thursday 22nd, 29th April and Thursday 6th and 13th May.
Start/end times
All sessions will run from 7.30 until 9.00pm on Zoom.
Joining information
By Zoom invitation only. People interested in joining “Your Next Steps” will need to contact Maggie in advance at missioner@yorkminster.org in order to receive details of the Zoom invitation for the course.
New exhibition showcases treasures from York Minster’s historic collection
A new exhibition showcasing treasures from York Minster’s historic collection which explore creativity and culture in York through the centuries will open at the cathedral on Saturday (19 September).
From stained glass and illuminated manuscripts to grave goods and York’s first newspaper, the exhibition highlights objects from the cathedral’s 300,000 strong collection and celebrates the work of the artists and craftspeople who created them.
Running until 17 January 2021, the exhibition – The Heart of Yorkshire: Creativity and Culture in York Minster’s Collections – will take place in the cathedral’s 13th century Chapter House and features around 50 items, including some rarely on public display.
Highlights include one of the oldest stained glass panels in Europe, ornate 13th century silver artefacts discovered in a former Archbishop’s grave and a copy of York’s first newspaper, printed in the city by an eminent female printer.
The exhibition has been made possible thanks to funding and support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Museum Development Yorkshire.
Helen Rawson, Head of Heritage at York Minster, explains: “York Minster is custodian to a diverse collection of objects, many of which were made in York and which tell the stories of the cathedral, the city and the Christian faith in the north of England.
“Since its foundation in 627AD, the Minster has commissioned items to support its devotional and educational missions while collecting material and manuscripts in its library and archives which detail the city’s history and development.
“This new exhibition has been curated to showcase some of these amazing objects, to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship in the city over the centuries and to explore the role of the cathedral at the heart of this rich and inspiring culture.”
Items include a 12th century stained glass panel which is one of the oldest surviving pieces of stained glass both in the Minster and in Europe. The panel, which is decorated with leaves and foliage and would have formed the border to a larger scene, will be on display with other stained glass ‘displaced’ during different phases of conservation and restoration work in the Minster over the centuries. York was an important centre of glass-painting in the Middle Ages and the Minster’s windows contain the largest and most diverse collection of in-situ medieval stained glass in Britain.
Other items include a silver chalice and paten and a gold ring dating from the 13th century which were discovered in the grave of Archbishop Sewal de Bovill, who was Archbishop of York from 1256 – 1258. Silver and gold have been used throughout history in religious ceremonies and for prestigious occasions. The metals have been shaped in York from at least the 8th century, when a mint for issuing coins was established, while the goldsmiths formed themselves into a craft guild in the 14th century.
The exhibition also includes a copy of York’s first newspaper, the York Mercury, printed in the city by Grace White, who was one of three entrepreneurial female printers in the city operating in the 1600s and 1700s at a time when the industry was dominated by men. Grace took over her husband’s printing press when she became a widow and ran the business between 1716 and 1721 leading the way with the creation of the local newspaper, with the city eventually boasting eight different titles.
Among the manuscripts on display in the exhibition is the Bolton Hours, a beautifully illuminated 15th century Book of Hours, the exquisite detail of which includes 47 full-page pictures of saints and biblical scenes, and six smaller miniatures.
The exhibition will be open from Saturday 19 September during normal visiting times, currently Monday to Thursday 11am – 4.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am – 4.30pm and Sunday 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Entry is included with a standard admission ticket and entry to the Minster is free for York residents with a valid proof of address.
Archbishop to ordain twelve Deacons to serve in the Diocese of York
Twelve women and men will be ordained Deacon by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, in the course of five services in York Minster between Friday 25th and Sunday 27th September 2020.
The twelve, who would have been ordained in July this year but for the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, have been serving as Licenced Lay Ministers in the parishes within the Diocese of York in which they will continue to serve as Curates once they have been ordained.
The five services replace the customary single service in the Nave of York Minster, to enable the closest family and friends of the two or three candidates in each service to attend within the current guidelines for social distancing and maximum numbers.
Due to the COVID restrictions only those invited may attend; however, the core of each service will be live-streamed on the Diocese of York’s Facebook page (no Facebook login required), and still photographs will be freely available afterwards for downloading and publication here.
The Archbishop of York said, “It’s an unexpected joy for me to be ordaining twelve Deacons this autumn. These are unusual times and all twelve have been making their mark in their new parishes for over three months as Lay Workers; I give thanks to God for the ministries that are already growing in them and through them, and for the blessing they will be as he sends them out as servants and heralds of the gospel.”
The services begin at the following times, with the live stream beginning after approximately twenty minutes:
Friday 25 September at at 7.00pm
Ordination of Will Ellis and Mark Poole
Saturday 26 September at at 2.00pm
Ordination of Kirsty Dennett and Fiona Hill
Saturday 26 September at at 7.30pm
Ordination of Vicky Earll and Alan Leach
Sunday 27 September at at 1.30pm
Ordination of Jane Emson, Phil Grayson and Jane Robson
Sunday 27 September at at 6.30pm
Ordination of Nick Garside, Vanessa Kirby and Richard Townend
Please find more information about the ordinations on the Diocese of York’s website.
Introducing the Candidates:
Kirsty Dennett comes from a nursing background, working until a few years ago as a Staff Nurse at York Hospital; she continues to serve there as a Chaplain.
During a time in her life when she felt particularly unworthy and unloved, Kirsty had a profound experience of God through the Holy Spirit.
“The experience showed me how God saw me, how God saw all of us, and how connected we all are to each other; this realisation of God’s unconditional love forever changed me.”
Kirsty began studying with York School of Ministry (YSOM) in 2012, becoming a Reader (a licensed lay minister) in 2016 and attaining a BA theology degree, and gradually internal prompting drew her towards ordination.
She studied for two years with St Hild College, and looks forward to serving as Assistant Curate in her home parish of Clifton, York.
“With a heart for pastoral care and social justice, I ask that I am used in the way God wills.”
Vicky Earll grew up in a Christian family where faith was expressed as something exciting.
After university she planted and led a Pioneer Network Church for 14 years: “Our heart was to build authentic community and be a church that was accessible for people to find God.
“An unexpected call into the Church of England that I couldn’t escape brings me to ordination; I trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham and am grateful for all that I learned, time to reflect and the friends I have made.
“My hope for my future ministry is that it will be authentic and full of love, as I seek to join in with what God is doing. I long for people to encounter our loving God and experience the transformation that his love brings”.
Vicky will serve as Assistant Curate at St Michael-le-Belfrey, York.
Will Ellis came to faith at university, and moved to York to complete an MA in medieval history before working in York Minster as a verger.
While working at York Minster he began to discern a calling to ordained ministry. He worked as a full-time pastoral assistant on an estate in North Shields to explore this calling, and for the last three years has been trained and formed for the ministry at Ridley Hall in Cambridge.
Will enjoyed his time in Cambridge and feels that he grew in the love of Christ and the fellowship of the Spirit in the community of faith at college.
“I am excited to have moved back to Yorkshire to be part of God’s mission, serving the people of Whitby, and following in the footsteps of St Hilda and other great northern saints.”
He will serve as Assistant Curate in the Parish of Whitby.
Jane Emson came to faith in her late 20s, and worked for 30 years inside and outside the church with vulnerable children, young people and adults, in Social care with drug and alcohol services, rehabilitation centres, young offenders, women’s refuges, domestic abuse projects, and prisons, including serving as lay chaplain to a women’s prison.
She has never stopped telling people about Jesus: “I have always been very passionate about sharing my faith and that continues today. It saddens me that people do not know the hope that is found in Jesus.”
Jane trained and is commissioned as a Church Army evangelist, and with support overcame her dyslexia to gain a BA in Mission and Ministry at the age of 45.
She will continue to serve as a ‘Multiply Minister’ helping to build a new worshipping community at Brambles Farm and Thorntree in Middlesbrough, and hopes to bring people to a living Faith in Jesus Christ, enabling them become wholehearted followers.
Nick Garside is a long-serving church organist and choir director, having come to Jesus at the age of 17 after a service at Scargill House in Kettlewell.
A musician and music teacher, Nick was the Head of Music at Selby College until last year, and continues to teach instrumental music at schools in the York area and at York Music Centre.
Married to Jill, with sons Sam, Chris, Eric and Frank and four grandchildren, Nick enjoys cooking, gardening and when he gets some free time likes to paint watercolours.
He has studied as an Ordinand at St Hild College for the last two years, and at York School of Ministry before that.
“I love to see people come to know Jesus and I’m looking forward to meeting and walking alongside people on their journey of faith,” he says.
Nick will serve as Assistant Curate in Rural Ainsty (Bilton in Ainsty; Healaugh; Hessay; Moor Monkton and Wighill).
Phil Grayson came to a personal faith in Christ at age 11. Ordination was not a career he considered until his first year of Sixth Form, when he experienced a renewal of his faith after a period of significant challenge.
He studied for a BA in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University, before going home to Sheffield to work as a Parish Assistant, and then three years as a Conductor on Sheffield’s trams.
Phil returned to York for a Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme year, at the Minster and St Luke’s parish church, and was recommended for ordination; he trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham.
“Ordination training is certainly demanding, but I have found it to be a time of growth, deep relationships and a lot of fun.
“My hope for ministry is that I will be able to help people encounter the love of God and grow to become passionate followers of Jesus.”
Phil will serve as Assistant Curate at Sherburn-in-Elmet with Saxton.
Fiona Hill’s varied career has included serving others from waitressing to checkouts to museums; she holds a teaching certificate in Lifelong Learning and worked in a university library tagging books.
“But the golden thread has been working with people with disabilities – in the community, in the college I did my A Levels in, in universities and as a diocesan disability officer.”
Her calling started with people stating, “So you’re gonna be a vicar then.”
“Eventually I prayed if this was what God wanted, ‘God, if you want me to be a priest, you’re gonna have to make it obvious, but not scary, cos you know what I’m like.’”
Following this prayer came a religious experience – it became obvious to Fiona that God wanted her to become a priest – “and the religious experience wasn’t scary either!”
She trained for ordination at Cranmer Hall, Durham, and hopes “To serve God well, to proclaim the Good News faithfully, and to seek the Holy Spirit.”
Fiona will serve as Assistant Curate at Scarborough, St Columba and St James with Holy Trinity.
Vanessa Kirby came to faith at Mission England in 1985 aged 19 and was nurtured as a disciple at St Barnabas Church, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough.
In 1998 she began training with Church Army in Sheffield, and ministered there until 2015.
Back in Middlesbrough she has taken different roles in deprived communities focusing on supporting people to live life in all its fullness.
She trained for odination at Cranmer Hall, Durham, and enjoyed community life spanning the breadth of the Anglican Church.
Vanessa is married to Jeff with two children, Ben and Alice, and is a Teessider born and bred.
“With a heart for Teesside, I am thrilled that my curacy is at St Oswald’s and St Chad’s in Middlesbrough.
“I reflect and hold on to some words from theologian Philip Yancey: ‘There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do to make God love us less’.”
Alan Leach is a Lecturer and Psychotherapist working in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
He enjoyed training for ordination at St Hild College, gaining a Diploma HE in Theology, Ministry and Mission.
“I found the course a huge learning curve with my formation being both challenging and rewarding in my spiritual growth. I continue to gain from my training a deepened sense of connection with God through ongoing prayer and biblical studies.”
He will continue his professional work alongside his role as Assistant Curate at All Saints, Rudston.
Alan lives with his wife Jenny and three younger sons, Matthew (12), Samuel (15) and Jake (16), and says that his older children Amy and stepson William are thrilled about his upcoming ordination.
“I am excited to harness my secular gifts in teaching and pastoral support applying them into a faith-centred context and placing Christ at the heart of my ministry.”
Mark Poole committed his life to Jesus Christ at the age of fifteen and shortly afterwards he had a sense of calling to ordained ministry, but tried to ignore it for many years!
He trained to teach in Oxford where he met his wife, Emma.
He taught for 20 years, serving for 12 of those as a Headteacher and Adviser/Inspector for North Yorkshire County Council.
They have two grown-up children and two dogs.
The calling to ordained ministry remained over the years and following more serious discernment, Mark began training at St Hild College in Mirfield.
“It has been a huge privilege to study, and a rich and blessed formational journey over the last three years.
“I feel sure that God’s timing has been perfect.”
Mark is excited to serve God and His people as Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Rural East York (Dunnington, Holtby, Stockton-on-the-Forest and Warthill).
Jane Robson committed to follow Jesus in 1981 aged 12.
In her mid 20s she felt called to full-time Christian work: “I said ‘yes’ but God said ‘not yet’.” She continued her pharmacy career, ultimately becoming Clinical Pharmacy Manager at North Tees Hospital.
After a clear call she became a Reader (a licensed lay minister) in 2014 and began to consider ordination.
“After several years of fighting, including two trying to teach God theology (didn’t he know women shouldn’t be ordained as priests?!) I submitted and acknowledged the call was real.”
Jane trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham; an amazing experience which helped her discern God’s voice and find her security in him.
“I long to help others find their vocation, whether in secular employment, or in the church – and to walk beside them as they work it out.”
Jane will serve as Curate in Great Ayton with Easby and Newton under Roseberry.
Richard Townend is from York and came to faith as a teenager in Criccieth, North Wales.
Whilst employed as children’s worker in Middlesbrough in 2005, he received a calling to ordained ministry.
Sadly, at this time, it wasn’t meant to be. Richard’s pastoral nature and heart for children’s work led him to an enjoyable and successful career in primary teaching at Barlby.
Following contact with Archbishop Sentamu in 2017, Richard unexpectedly found himself in a discernment process, and a few months later, began training at Cranmer Hall, Durham.
Richard is married to Emma with two daughters: Belle (11) and Jasmine (9); and a sausage dog called Taffy.
The family are thrilled to be moving to Bridlington where Richard will serve as Assistant Curate at Emmanuel Church.
“It has taken fifteen years, so I am eager to share God’s love as a deacon. I’m sure it will be worth the wait!”
Work to rebuild York Minster’s Grand Organ enters final phases
Work to rebuild York Minster’s Grand Organ as part of a once-a-century project to refurbishment the instrument is nearing completion at the cathedral.
Specialist organ builders Harrison and Harrison are today returning some of the recently restored decorative pipes, dating from the 1800s, to the organ’s case – after work started to rebuild the instrument in June.
The organ, which is one of the largest in the country and includes 5,403 pipes, was removed from the Minster in October 2018 and taken to the company’s specialist workshop in Durham for cleaning, repair and replacement.
Parts of the instrument were returned to the cathedral at the end of 2019 and in January this year, before work on the £2m project, the first on this scale since 1903, paused in March due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The final parts of the rebuild of the instrument are due to be completed by early October, following which the scaffolding will be removed before the organ is ‘voiced’, a process to ensure the pipes’ notes and volume levels are playing correctly.
It is hoped the refurbished instrument will be back in use by spring 2021.
Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this stage in the project and to see all the amazing craftsmanship which has gone into refurbishing the Grand Organ coming together.
“Organ music has been at the heart of worship at York Minster for nearly 1,000 years and we hope this project will allow us to continue that tradition throughout the 21st century and beyond.”
The decorative pipes being returned today are part of a set of 102 pipes which decorate the organ’s case. They are some of the oldest surviving pipes in the organ dating from 1832, when a new organ was built following an arson attack in the Quire in 1829 which destroyed the previous instrument.
They have been silent for more than 100 years, following the last major refurbishment of the instrument in 1903, but as part of the current project the majority will be brought back into musical use.
During the refurbishment it was found that around 30 of the original case pipes were beyond economic repair and they have been replaced, with the originals auctioned last autumn to help raise funds for the project.
The remaining originals were cleaned and repainted inside the cathedral last autumn by graining and marbling specialists Robert Woodland & Son, who also decorated the new pipes to match the originals.
Originally painted green, the case pipes were updated in 1859 to the distinctive gold, green, cream and red decoration seen today.
The once-a-century refurbishment has also included replacing the organ’s mechanism and extensive work to clean and overhaul the instrument. A new music library has also been created underneath the organ, inside the screen which separates the cathedral’s Quire from its Nave.
Consecrations to be livestreamed from York Minster
Consecrations of the Bishop of Doncaster and the Bishop of Sherwood to be livestreamed from York Minster
Two new Bishops will be consecrated in separate services taking place at York Minster on Monday 21 September.
The Revd Canon Sophie Jelley, former Director of Mission, Discipleship and Ministry in the Diocese of Durham and Canon Missioner at Durham Cathedral, will be consecrated as Bishop of Doncaster in the Diocese of Sheffield. Sophie will be consecrated in the morning by The Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, assisted by the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler and the Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox.
In the afternoon, the Revd Dr Andrew Emerton, former Dean of St Mellitus College, will be consecrated as Bishop of Sherwood in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. Andrew will be consecrated by the Bishop of Durham, the Revd Paul Butler, assisted by the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally and the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, Paul Williams. The Archbishop of York will preside at both services.
The consecration services will take place in the context of the Eucharist and will include readings, prayers, music and a sermon.
The services will be held under careful guidelines because of the Coronavirus pandemic with strict limits on the numbers attending. Both services will be live-streamed making it possible for friends, family and members of the worldwide Christian Union to experience the occasions in real time.
Commenting on her forthcoming consecration, Sophie said: “Since the delayed consecration in March, I have been greatly blessed to join in the work in the Diocese of Sheffield as Bishop Designate of Doncaster and to meet many people from across the area. It will be a joy to be consecrated by Archbishop Stephen in his new role in the Northern Province. This is a great time to be serving in the North and I am excited to see how God shapes his church for the future as we respond to the challenge of coronavirus and help those in our communities to know that they are loved and valued by God.”
Commenting on his consecration service, Andy said:
“It has been a joy for me to begin to be involved with mission and ministry across the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham since being licensed as the Bishop of Sherwood designate in July. I am very much looking forward to being consecrated by Bishop Paul in the service at York Minster and to serve under Archbishop Stephen in the Northern Province. At this time of huge challenge for so many across the country it is a privilege to be called to share the love of Christ and the good news of the Gospel with all.”
The livestream for Sophie’s Consecration service will be available from 11am until 12.30pm (approx.) on York Minster’s website at www.YorkMinster.org/Whats-On
The livestream for Andrew’s Consecration service will be available from 2.30 until 4.00pm on York Minster’s website at www.YorkMinster.org/Whats-On
The Orders of Service for the consecrations will be available for download on the day on the York Minster website.
Evensong Services return to York Minster this week
After a break of more than six months, York Minster’s popular Evensong services return this week on Wednesday 9 September with the first of three world premiere performances of new music specially commissioned for the Minster.
The adult singers of the York Minster Choir will give world first performances of new anthems by three outstanding composers. On Wednesday 9 September, the choir will perform ‘O sing unto the Lord a new song’ by Cornish composer Becky McGlade. Thursday 10 September will mark the first performance of ‘Now cheer our hearts this eventide, Lord Jesus Christ’, composed by Philip Moore, Organ Emeritus of York Minster and Friday 11 September will be the premiere of ‘After this, we will return’ by Cambridge composer, Sarah MacDonald.
Evensong services to the 19 September will be performed by the adult singers of the choir. As well as the new pieces, this week’s Evensong will feature music that is both contemplative and uplifting. The boys and girls of the York Minster Choir will return to sing in the Minster later this month. The daily order of service and music for Evensong is published in the York Minster Services Scheme.
Welcoming the resumption of choral singing, Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster said: “The last six months have been challenging for England’s cathedral choirs, for musicians and for all those who love the atmosphere and music of Evensong. It is exciting that the Minster’s singers and musicians will return to premiere exceptional new music from such renowned choral composers.”
Seating capacity for worship will be greatly reduced as services will be managed in line with Government and Church of England guidance for safe social distancing. A reservation system will be introduced from Sunday 27 September for the most popular Sunday services – Matins at 10am, the Eucharist at 11am and Evensong at 4pm.
Reservations will not be required for Evensong services on weekdays. Evensong has been moved from the Quire to the Nave which can currently accommodate 180 people. Tickets for services are free of charge.
Three newly commissioned anthems to celebrate the return of choral singing at York Minster
World premiere performances of three specially commissioned anthems, will mark the resumption of choral singing at York Minster after a six month break caused by the Coronavirus pandemic – the first break in choral singing at the Minster in 360 years.
The three anthems will be premiered at Evensong performances by the adult singers of the York Minster Choir. On Wednesday 9 September, the choir will perform ‘O sing unto the Lord a new song’ by Cornish composer Becky McGlade. Thursday 10 September will mark the first performance of ‘Now cheer our hearts this eventide, Lord Jesus Christ’, composed by Philip Moore, Organ Emeritus of York Minster. Friday 11 September will be the premiere of ‘After this, we will return’ by Cambridge composer, Sarah MacDonald. The boy and girl choristers will return to their singing in the Minster later this month.
The last sung service in the Minster was on 15 March 2020. Explaining the historical significance of the interruption, Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster said: “The last break in singing in cathedrals was 360 years ago – the period between the execution of Charles I on 30 January 1649 and the Restoration of the Monarchy with Charles II in London on 29 May 1660 – when the Puritans outlawed choral music in worship. The Act of Uniformity in 1662 restored earlier Church of England liturgical practice including choral singing. Singing in the Minster continued throughout both World Wars and even after the catastrophic fire of July 1984 when choral services sung by the York Minster Choir continued in our sister church, St Michael-le-Belfrey. Choral music is at the heart of worship in the Minster: the virus stopped everything.”
Robert continued: “There is a real sense of anticipation and excitement at the Minster. After such a long time without singing, to come back with three remarkable new compositions is both a great honour and a great privilege.”
Composer Becky McGlade said: “Like so many, I am thrilled that choirs will once again be singing in our churches and cathedrals after this unprecedented hiatus. It is exciting that at York Minster there are going to be some new anthems to mark the recommencement of this wonderful tradition. It is a delight to be a part of this. The text of my anthem, taken from Psalm 98, exhorts us to sing a new song to the Lord and to celebrate the marvellous things He has done. It is a timely reminder that however demanding the season, He remains faithful at all times, and I hope to convey in my setting the joy of being able to sing to Him once more.”
Composer Philip Moore said: “News that the Minster Choir will sing once again is joyous indeed. I was therefore honoured and delighted to have been asked by Robert Sharpe to contribute to a series of anthems for alto, tenor and bass. Writing for a three-part choir is an enjoyable challenge, akin perhaps to cooking with only three ingredients. I hope these new musical recipes will mark a significant step in restoring our treasured choirs to their full glory and will give worshippers a taste of eternity.”
Composer Sarah MacDonald said: “The news that we are allowed to sing again has relieved and revived musicians across the country. We need innovative, creative and optimistic ideas to rebuild our wonderful cathedral tradition, and Robert’s invitation to participate in this brilliant initiative was a joy to receive as I’m sure it was for all of the composers. I have sourced Biblical texts for my contribution which speak of loss, return and renewal, not only reflecting what we have been through as a community, but also serving as a metaphor for my own compositional mind set. Fortunately, some of those longed-for fresh ideas reappeared with the knowledge that the piece will be sung live very soon by such a fabulous choir.”
In recent weeks, the 11am congregation has numbered more than 100 and is expected to increase as soon as choral singing resumes. In order to safely maintain the guidelines for social distancing, a reservation system will be introduced from Sunday 27 September for the most popular Sunday services – Matins at 10am, the Eucharist at 11am and Evensong at 4pm.
Patricia Dunlop, Director of Visitor Experience at York Minster said: “Our priority is to enable everyone to keep safe as we return to worship in the Minster and to adhere to the social distancing guidelines currently in force. Covid-19 has affected virtually every aspect of our lives, and this change is just one more adaptation that we have to make in order to enjoy Sunday worship in a safe manner, as we welcome choral music back to the Minster.”