Lent and Easter Services at York Minster
York Minster today announced its services and events for Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2019. Beginning on Ash Wednesday (6 March), Christians throughout the world keep a period of penitence which intensifies in the solemn days leading up to Holy Week starting with Palm Sunday (14 April) which remembers Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, his last supper (Maundy Thursday) and his crucifixion and burial (Good Friday). On Easter Day (21 April), we begin our joyful celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The Day of Pentecost (9 June), commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Church and marks the end of the Easter season.
The key events and services are:
Tuesday 5 March – The arrival of the Lent Cross
Six metres tall, three metres wide and hewn from rough scaffolding wood in the Minster’s workshop, the Lent Cross, the central symbol of the Christian Faith, will be suspended from the Central Tower. It will remain in place until the Feast of Pentecost.
Wednesday 6 March Ash Wednesday – Imposition of the Ashes
We welcome visitors to receive the sign of the cross marked in ash on their foreheads as a reminder of our mortality and of our sharing of death in Christ. Imposition of the Ashes will take place at 11am and 2pm, during Holy Communion at 7.50am and 12.30pm, and during the Sung Eucharist at 5.15pm.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays during Lent – 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March and 5th, 12th April at 11.30am and a special Stations of the Cross for Families on Good Friday, 19th April.
Stations of the Cross echoes Jesus’ journey to crucifixion and the 14 stages along the way. During the journey around the Minster, hymns will be sung and each station will provide an opportunity for reflection. On Good Friday, families are welcome to share in the Stations of the Cross which will be on the railings in Dean’s Park. The service begins in the Chapter House at 11.30am, will last about an hour and will be followed by drinks and hot cross buns.
Silence in the Minster
Thursdays during Lent – 14th, 21st, 28th March and 11th April from 7.00-9.30pm
An event introducing the restorative and meditative power of silence. A member of the Cathedral clergy will give a short talk on how to use silence, drawing on the deep well of teaching, resources and experience in the Christian contemplative tradition – before leading periods of silent meditation. Poetry readings and music during the event will sustain the stillness and calm. The evenings will conclude with Choral Compline sung by the Ebor Singers in the Quire at 8.45pm. All are welcome to take part in Compline. The evenings are open to all, whether you are a person of faith or not. Those taking part will also have the opportunity to explore the Minster’s spaces by wandering around at will or just sitting in silence and letting the Minster ‘speak.’
Holy Week and Easter Day at York Minster
Palm Sunday
Sunday 14 April
Sung Eucharist and Procession with Palms
Meeting at the Mansion House, St Helen’s Square, York, at 9.45am.
Monday 15 April
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Jesu meine Freude 7.30-8.30pm and Compline.
Tuesday 16 April
Reading of the Passion Gospel with Charpentier’s Le reniement de Saint Pierre, 7.30-8.30pm and Compline.
Wednesday 17 April
The Ryedale Festival presents Wagner’s Parsifal conducted by Sir Mark Elder and performed by the Hallé Orchestra and Choir. Concert starts at 7.30pm.
Maundy Thursday – Thursday 18 April
Chrism Eucharist at 11am, Eucharist of the Last Supper at 7pm, Watch of the Passion from 8.15pm until midnight, with Tenebrae at 9.30pm
The Chrism Eucharist takes its name from Chrismation (anointing). The Archbishop of York, Dr John
Sentamu, will bless oils for anointing candidates for baptism and confirmation and for healing. The
Archbishop will gather members of the clergy from around the Diocese to renew the vows made at their ordinations. The Archbishop will wash the feet of 12 people, commemorating Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper. At the Eucharist of the Last Supper, the Dean will wash the feet of members of the Minster community. At the end of the service the consecrated bread will be taken to All Saints’ Chapel and will be placed on the altar where it will become the focus of the watch. Kept until midnight, the watch recalls Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. During the watch, The Ebor Singers will sing the office of Tenebrae, recalling the gathering darkness as we move towards Good Friday.
Good Friday – Friday 19 April
The Liturgy of Good Friday at 10am, Stations of the Cross for families at 11.30am, Three Hours Devotion from 12-3pm
The Liturgy of Good Friday includes Bible readings, singing of the Passion from St John’s Gospel, and the procession of a large wooden cross and prayers. At 11.30am, families will be invited to gather in the Chapter House before setting out for Dean’s Park for a special family service of Stations of the Cross. Three Hours Devotion is a service of meditation, hymns and prayers with periods of silence for reflection.
Easter Eve – Saturday 20 April
The Easter Liturgy with Baptism and Confirmation from 8.30pm
Beginning in darkness, the service will consist of readings telling the story of the liberation from slavery in Egypt of the ancient Israelites, followed by the lighting of the Paschal (Easter) Candle. The proclamation of the Easter Gospel is followed by a procession to the Crypt for baptism, confirmation for candidates associated with the Minster, the annual reaffirmation of baptismal vows and concludes with the celebration of the First Eucharist of Easter. The President at the Easter Liturgy will be the Archbishop of York.
Easter Day – Sunday 21 April
Holy Communion at 8am, Solemn Eucharist at 10am, Choral Matins at 11.45am, Solemn Evensong with Blessing of the Easter Garden at 4pm. Free entry to all.
Our services will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will preside at the 10am Solemn Eucharist service.
Evensong for Holy Week
Throughout Holy Week, Evensong will be sung daily at 5.15pm and at 4pm on Sundays.
York Minster’s Easter Garden – Sunday 14 April until Sunday 9 June
A much-loved tradition at York Minster, the Easter garden depicts key scenes from the Passion. Starting on Palm Sunday with just the tomb and three crosses, new elements will be added as the Easter story unfolds including palm branches, 30 pieces of silver (Judas Iscariot’s reward for his betrayal of Jesus), a crown of thorns and three nails and a length of material representing Jesus’ burial cloth.
During the Easter Vigil on Easter Eve, the tomb will be opened and illuminated and the garden festooned with flowers to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. The garden will be blessed by the Archbishop of York during the vigil. The Easter Garden will be in the North Transept under the Five Sisters Window from Palm Sunday until the Feast of Pentecost.
Tackling period poverty – Register for the Days for Girls, York workshop
York Minster is marking International Women’s Day by again hosting a Days for Girls,York workshop. In conjunction with Rotary York Ainsty, the Minster’s North Transept will be transformed into a giant sewing workshop on Thursday 7 March for this world-wide ‘hands on’ project. The initiative has one clear aim: ‘Education, Hygiene and Dignity for all girls – everywhere’.
Many girls in developing countries, due to poverty, are unable to go to school during menstruation because they cannot afford sanitary protection. The Days for Girls, York workshops make colourful washable feminine hygiene kits which will last girls up to three years.
Days for Girls has devised a practical, low cost, re-usable solution in the form of a kit which uses brightly patterned cottons to sew cleverly designed pads and covers which are then packed into attractive drawstring bags. These can be easily sewn by hand or with a sewing machine. Each kit includes underwear, a wash cloth and two one-gallon, super strong polythene zip-locked bags to enable the soiled items to be washed easily – particularly important in areas where water is scarce.
Once again, the workshop is taking place under the auspices of Rotary York Ainsty as one of their international projects and is being coordinated by the club’s 2018-2019 president, Mrs Issy Sanderson.
Commenting on this year’s workshop, Issy said: “Sewing machines, ironing boards and a mini- production line will be set up in the Minster’s North Transept for two sessions. These will run from 10.00am until 12.30pm and 1.30 until 4.00pm. Volunteers are needed to help cut patterns, sew items and pack finished kits. There are only 100 places available per session so volunteers will need to book a place in advance.”
A booking form for the Days for Girls York workshop can be found HERE
Issy explained that the workshops have had a global impact. “Days for Girls, York and associated groups sent 604 kits overseas last year. We also seed-funded self-help groups in Africa including Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal and Zambia. Also, in India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Nepal. The global impact from the workshops in the Minster are amazing. These kits are making a tremendous difference to the lives of young girls and women. Come and help to change lives,” says Issy.
The workshop will also draw attention to the scandal of period poverty in the UK, one of the world’s richest countries. A recent study by Plan International UK, revealed that around 1 in 10 girls in the UK have experienced period poverty and 40 per cent reported having to use toilet roll because they cannot afford proper sanitary products.
A team from Soroptimist International – will be at the workshop to highlight period poverty in the UK and to explain how local organisations in York are working together to tackle the problem.
Jonathan Frost installed as 76th Dean of York
The Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, formerly Bishop Suffragan of Southampton, was today installed as the 76th Dean of York at a service of Choral Evensong at York Minster. The new Dean of York succeeds the Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull who was consecrated Bishop of Bristol in July 2018.
In the first of three ceremonies today, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, collated and licensed Jonathan for his ministry as Dean.
The second ceremony took place in the Chapter House. In an ancient ritual dating back to the Middle Ages, Jonathan was admitted as a member of Chapter, the Minster’s governing body. Letters Patent from Her Majesty the Queen were read and oaths were sworn on the 1000 year-old York Gospels.
Jonathan was formally received into the Chapter of York by the Canon-in-Residence, The Revd Canon Michael Smith, Canon Pastor. He was then placed in his seat by The Revd Canon Peter Moger, Acting Dean of York, at which point Jonathan officially became Dean of York.
The final ceremony took place at the end of a procession into Evensong when Jonathan was placed in his stall in the Minster’s Quire. Jonathan then emerged from the Quire into the Minster’s Nave where he was formally presented to the congregation as Dean of York.
Jonathan’s daughter Hannah read one of the bible passages. Representatives from the City of York, the County of North Yorkshire, the Church of England’s Northern Province and members of the Minster’s community and staff also took part in the service.
Following the sermon by the Archbishop of York, prayers were read by students from four local schools: the Minster School; Archbishop Holgate’s School; Manor Church of England Academy and St Peter’s School.
Commenting on his new role, Dean Jonathan said:
“I am honoured to have been called to serve in this beautiful place. I have received a very warm and generous welcome and I look forward to serving the community, the city and the wider diocese of York.”
Biographical details
The Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, Dean of York
Jonathan comes to York Minster and Yorkshire from the Diocese of Winchester, where he served as Suffragan Bishop of Southampton from 2010-2019. He also served as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Portsmouth.
Jonathan represented the Suffragan Bishops of the Province of Canterbury at General Synod. He is a Trustee of USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). Prior to his Southampton years, Jonathan was Anglican Chaplain at the University of Surrey, Residentiary Canon at Guildford Cathedral and the Bishop of Guildford’s Adviser for Inter-faith Relations. He previously served as a parish priest in Ash and in Nottingham where he was also police chaplain.
In the Diocese of Winchester, Jonathan focused on prayer and growing disciples, building strong community relations and engagement with young people. He was Chair of the Joint Portsmouth and Winchester Diocesan Board of Education overseeing the work of 160 schools. For the last eight years, Jonathan led an Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Taizé community in Burgundy, France.
Jonathan co-founded Love Southampton, an initiative which involved churches partnering with Southampton City Council on a number of projects for the common good.
Jonathan is a graduate of the Universities of Aberdeen, Nottingham and Surrey. In April 2012 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of the University, by the University of Surrey for his work in promoting cohesive campus relations and religious literacy in universities.
Jonathan is married to Christine and they have three grown-up children, Hannah, Ben and Jake.
For Jonathan, Fulham Football Club and Test cricket are passions that endure. Sea swimming, walking and time spent with family and friend are, for him, intimations of heaven.
Tree planting and maintenance strategy for York Minster precinct
The maintenance of trees and shrubs within the York Minster Precinct will be the subject of a planting and maintenance strategy being developed in consultation with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Commenting on the strategy, Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, said:
“The trees and shrubs within the Precinct provide a peaceful and beautiful green haven that is greatly enjoyed by York’s residents, workers and visitors year round. They also have a huge biodiversity value for insects, wildlife and other plants and they soak up vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air. This draft strategy sets out the approach that we will take to the management of trees and shrubs within the Precinct for the long term.”
Alex explained that as well as the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs, the strategy will also include a planting schedule for new trees such as beech, lime, crab apple and cherry and the continuation of the Minster’s policy to only remove trees and shrubs that are dead, diseased, dying or unsafe. He said:
“All trees have a natural life cycle and have to be managed when they become too big or sickly. In a few weeks’ time we will have to remove two laburnums which are now structurally unsound as a result of their crowns being damaged by storms. We will also have to fell a sycamore which has suffered years of squirrel damage, and an ash tree and a cherry tree – both with split trunks as a result of rot invading the heartwood. Removal is always a last resort and is only done on the advice of a qualified and experienced tree surgeon.”
However Alex added that every loss creates an opportunity for new trees. The Minster’s replanting programme focuses on native species wherever possible. He said:
“The five trees will be replaced with 12 new ones – crab apple trees (Malus Floribunda). Crab apples were selected following discussions with the RHS. The species is appropriate for this part of the Precinct and is resilient to both climate change and extreme weather events. The trees which are semi-established and are already three to four metres tall will offer abundant spring blossom for bees and fruit for birds in the winter.”
The draft planting and maintenance strategy will eventually form part of York Minster’s Neighbourhood Plan which sets out plans for the future care of the Minster and its Precinct.
York Minster’s commemoration for international Holocaust Memorial Day 2019
Six hundred candles in the shape of the Star of David will be lit at York Minster on Thursday 24 January in memory of more than 6 million Jewish people murdered by the Nazis in the Second World War.
The act of commemoration is part of a week-long programme of events in York to mark international Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on the 27 January each year.
The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp – the largest Nazi death camp – in 1945.
The event at York Minster will begin with a Choral Evensong service at 5.15pm which is attended by representatives from York’s Jewish community and other faith communities.
This will be followed by a procession to the cathedral’s Chapter House for the act of commemoration, which also includes readings, music, poetry, prayers and periods of silence for quiet reflection.
The Revd Canon Dr Christopher Collingwood, Canon Chancellor at York Minster, said: “This commemoration allows people from across York and beyond to come together to remember and reflect on the horrific events of the Holocaust, genocides and persecutions on a worldwide scale.
“Hearing the words of people who experienced this unimaginable cruelty and depravity helps us to honour and pay tribute to their courage and resilience, while encouraging positive actions to create a safer future.”
The international theme for HMD 2019 is ‘Torn from Home’, which encourages people to reflect on how the enforced loss of a safe place to call home is part of the trauma faced by anyone experiencing persecution and genocide.
HMD 2019 will also mark the 25th anniversary of the Genocide in Rwanda, which began in April 1994 and the 40th anniversary of the end of the Genocide in Cambodia, which ended in 1979.
For further details about the York Minster event click here
Tree planted to celebrate 90 years of the Friends of York Minster
A tree planting ceremony in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Friends of York Minster has been held today – Wednesday 12 December. A new cherry tree was planted beside the Queen’s Path at York Minster by Graeme Robertson, the charity’s chairman.
The Friends of York Minster was set up by Lionel George Bridges Justice Ford, Dean of York from 1928 until 1932. Writing in 1928, Dean Ford said that he wanted to form, “a fellowship of Friends, linked one to another by a common enthusiasm for our holy and beautiful house of God’. He added: “….funds are indeed necessary to secure the Minster fabric …. but the existence of a body of Friends, who will care for our beautiful Minster as a sacred inheritance and a national possession, should prove an inestimable benefit to the life of the Minster itself.”
Meg Shorland-Ball, Honorary Secretary of the Friends of York Minster said:
“The Friends continue to uphold Dean Ford’s aims and aspirations. Today we have over 2,000 members who get involved in a busy programme of outings, lectures, social events and holidays. We send out regular newsletters and we produce an Annual report. The organising is done by one part-time member of staff and a team of volunteers who love the building and being involved with like-minded people. The organisation would not run without these dedicated volunteers.”
The charity has funded a wide range of projects at the Minster this year including a grant of £205,000 for the conservation of the Penitencer’s Window – one of three 14th century windows in the Minster’s North Nave aisle. The Friends also directed funds left in a bequest to pay for the installation of special blinds in the Upper Hall of the Old Palace library. The blinds will protect the hundreds of old and fragile books in the library’s collection by cutting out the highly damaging UV rays from sunlight. The Friends have also funded smaller projects including providing underlay for Minster carpets, two lights for outside the South Door and handrails down to the East Crypt.
New Dean of York Announced
Downing Street has today announced that Her Majesty The Queen has accepted the nomination of The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, the Suffragan Bishop of Southampton, as the next Dean of York.
The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said: “I am most grateful to Her Majesty The Queen for her approval of the appointment of The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost as the new Dean of York. Jonathan brings with him a wealth of experience as a Pastor and Leader in mission – in parish, school, chaplaincy and cathedral. He will lead the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York, in its mission to serve God in worship, witness and service across the Diocese and Province of York. We warmly welcome Bishop Jonathan and his family as they move from the Diocese of Winchester to be with us here in York.”
The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been invited to take up the role of Dean of York. I look forward to serving the Minster community, the Diocese of York and the Northern Province as together we seek to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to reflect the radiant goodness of Jesus Christ. May I ask for your prayers for me, for Christine and for our family as we move to York.”
The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, the Dean designate, is at York Minster throughout today to meet with the Chapter, staff, volunteers and visitors. Evening prayer will be said at 5.15pm and will be followed by refreshments. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Right Worshipful Peter Collier QC, Chair of the Nomination Panel for the Dean of York, said: “I am delighted with the appointment of Bishop Jonathan. He is a person whose life is deeply rooted in prayer; he has a passion for mission; and as a bishop he is someone who is recognised as being a focus of unity. This combination of giftings will enable him to build on and consolidate the developments that have taken place recently and under God to lead York Minster into its next phase of ministry.”
Jonathan Frost (aged 54), was consecrated Bishop in the Church of God to serve as the Suffragan Bishop of Southampton and Installed as Canon at Winchester Cathedral in 2010. He has also served as Anglican Chaplain to the University of Surrey, and as Canon Residentiary of Guildford Cathedral. In 2007, he became Co-ordinating Chaplain at the University and was appointed the Bishop of Guildford’s Advisor for Inter-Faith Relations. He is a Benedictine Oblate and follows a Rule of Life.
The installation of the Dean designate will be held on Saturday 2 February 2019 at York Minster.
Read Downing Street’s full statement here
York Minster Cathedral Constables receive commendations for bravery
Commendations for brave conduct will be awarded to two of York Minster’s Cathedral Constables in a special ceremony in the Minster’s 13th century Chapter House on Wednesday 14 November.
The commendations will be presented at the Attestation Ceremony for three new members of the Minster’s Police team. Lewis Appleby, Elizabeth Hill and Verity Winterburn will swear an oath on the 1,000 year old York Gospels before receiving their formal accreditation and certificate. The ceremony will be performed by Duncan Webster OBE JP, Chairman of the North Yorkshire Bench. The Minster’s Cathedral Constables hold the same powers as regular police constables within the Minster’s precinct.
The commendations will be awarded to Cathedral Constable Beverley Martin and Cathedral Constable Adam Rickers by the Cathedral Constables’ Association. They will be presented by Canon Peter Moger, Acting Dean of York.
Beverley Martin was attested as a Cathedral Constable in 2017 having worked as a member of the Minster’s Police team for more than 12 years. Bev was recognised for brave conduct in pursuing, restraining and detaining a male suspect for violent behaviour outside York Minster on 15 June 2018. The suspect had violently assaulted two people – one of them a man in his eighties. Bev gave chase, catching up with the suspect as he confronted a group of people waiting for a taxi. She placed the suspect in handcuffs and despite his verbal abuse and violent struggling, Bev detained him for more than 20 minutes until North Yorkshire Police arrived to take him into custody.
Commenting on the incident and her commendation for brave conduct, Bev said:
“It was a dangerous situation and there was real potential for things to escalate and for more people to be hurt. But in the heat of the moment there is no time to think – the training just takes over and you focus all your efforts on bringing the situation under control and preventing further harm and risk to members of the public.”
Adam Rickers was attested as a Cathedral Constable in 2017, having been a member of the Minster’s Police team for 8 years. On 12 September 2018, he responded to reports of a man on the scaffolding overlooking Dean’s Park. Adam climbed the scaffolding, checking each level until he spotted the male sitting on the edge of the Minster’s roof more than 250 feet above ground. Adam walked 15 metres along the roof edge and then climbed a 10 metre pinnacle to get close enough to start a conversation. He kept the man calm and engaged in conversation for almost 30 minutes until a team from North Yorkshire Police, including a trained negotiator, climbed up to join Adam. After another hour of careful persuasion, the man agreed to come down from the roof. The officers assisted him down the scaffolding and he was immediately taken to hospital for assessment.
Recalling the incident, Adam said:
“Even though we take every precaution to stop people climbing onto the scaffolding, people in crisis are often the most determined in finding a way through and putting themselves in harm’s way. It was a horrible situation, at great height on a dark, windy and wet night. But there was someone in acute distress and it was my duty as a police officer and a responsible person to go to his aid.”
Mark Sutcliffe, Inspector of Cathedral Police at York Minster, commended the courage and selflessness of Constables Martin and Rickers. He said:
“These were challenging and dangerous circumstances requiring sensitivity and tremendous bravery. Both constables put themselves at enormous personal risk to protect the public and preserve life. They are a credit to York Minster and to the wider community.”
A new hymn for Armistice 100 – First public performance at York Minster and St Paul’s Cathedral
An award-winning new hymn specially written for Armistice will be performed for the first time at both York Minster and St Paul’s Cathedral’s services commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War on Sunday 11 November.
The hymn, ‘Hope for the World’s Despair’, by Ally Barrett and set to the tune ‘Love Unknown’ by John Ireland, won first prize in the Hymns of Peace competition run by Jubilate Hymns – a foundation that promotes music for worship.
Ally’s hymn was chosen from 147 entries from across the UK. Eight entries made it onto the shortlist that went before the Jubilate judging panel on 20 June.
Ally had not originally intended to enter the competition as she was acutely aware of the complexity of composing for an occasion that is so deeply felt. She said:
“I then realised that I wanted to try to find some words that could be sung by a really broad spectrum of people, and yet express something fresh and perhaps a bit challenging. I wanted to recognise those whose battle scars are invisible, but life changing, and who may find Remembrance particularly difficult. We’ve come a long way since 1918 in our understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. For the hymn as a whole I started from the brokenness of the world, and our response to this, both in prayer and in action.”
For Canon Peter Moger, Acting Dean of York and a member of the Hymns of Peace judging panel, Ally’s hymn stood out from an outstanding field of entries. He said:
“Ally’s hymn was chosen for the skilful simplicity of the lyrics while addressing some major topics, married with the carefully applied resonances of sacrifice in the chosen tune. We were impressed by the range of themes covered, from issues of contemporary conflict, political power, remembrance and personal responsibility. In particular, the fourth verse about post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans impressed the panel as filling a vital gap in our Remembrance repertoire.”
Sunday 11 November will mark the first public performances of the hymn by the choirs and congregations at York Minster and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Ally’s hymn has also been recorded and released as a single, produced by Mark Edwards and performed by Jonathan Veira and the All Souls Orchestra, with an accompanying reflective video drawing out the themes of the lyrics.
Biographical details – Ally Barrett
Ally Barrett is an Anglican priest and Director of Pastoral Studies at Westcott House Anglican Theological College, Cambridge. She was in parish ministry for 11 years, and also spent a year as a children’s minister. In addition to writing hymns, she writes about vocation, all age worship and preaching, and the relationship between mission and worship. In her spare time she paints, and enjoys experimental vegan cooking.
Watch online now
York Minster service marks the Armistice centenary Sunday 11 November 2018
York Minster will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with a service of thanksgiving and commemoration on Sunday 11 November at 9.30am.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will preach at the service, which precedes the annual parade through York for the Service of Remembrance in the City Memorial Gardens at 11am.
The two services mark the culmination of a six week period of reflection and commemoration in York for those who served during the conflict. The service will be attended by members of the City of York Civic Party, the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
Hope for the world’s despair, a hymn by Cambridge writer Ally Barrett will be sung for the first time on 11 November at both York Minster’s and St Paul’s Cathedral’s services. The hymn won the Hymns of Peace competition organised to mark the Armistice centenary by Jubilate, an organisation providing hymns and liturgical resources for churches across the world.
Following the service, the Archbishop of York, the Acting Dean of York, The Revd Canon Peter Moger, members of the Civic Party and representatives from the military and police will process to the City Memorial Gardens to join the Royal British Legion for the annual Service of Remembrance.
The two minutes silence will be observed before the final names are read from the King’s Book of York Heroes by The Lord Mayor of York, Keith Orrell. More than 1,470 names included in the book, which is the city’s memorial to the York men and women who died in service during the conflict, have been read out at locations across the city between 3 October and 11 November as part of the city’s commemorations – York Remembers: Lifting the Shadow of the First World War.
At the Minster, in addition to the 9.30am service, the Sung Eucharist at 10.55am will include the traditional two minutes’ silence at 11am, and at 4pm, movements from Faure’s Requiem will be interspersed with First World War poetry and Biblical readings.
The cathedral’s bells will also ring out during the day as part of two national tributes. At 12.30pm they will be rung half muffled as part of an initiative by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to give thanks and replicate the national outpouring of relief that took place at the end of the war as news of the Armistice filtered through and bells which had long been silent rang out. The timing of the ringing coincides with ‘A Nation’s Thank You – The People’s Procession’, where 10,000 members of the public will march past the Cenotaph in London to mark the centenary.
At 7.05pm a quarter peal will be rung on open bells as part of ‘Ringing Out for Peace’, a campaign organised by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers and the Battle’s Over initiative. Church and cathedral bells across the country will ring out in tribute to the 1,400 bellringers who lost their lives during the war.
Work starts to refurbish York Minster’s Grand Organ for the first time in 100 years
A major, once-a-century project to refurbish York Minster’s Grand Organ has started at the cathedral this week.
Throughout October, organ specialists Harrison and Harrison will remove the instrument – including almost all its 5,403 pipes – and take it to their workshop in Durham for repair and rebuilding.
The refurbishment work is the first on this scale since 1903. It will cost £2m and take around two years to complete, with the restored instrument due to be ready for use in autumn 2020.
Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster, said: “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 current instrument dates from the early 1830s and is one of the largest cathedral organs in the country, weighing approximately 20,000kg. Its 5,403 pipes range in length from the size of a pencil to 10m long.
Due to their regular use and environment, cathedral organs ideally need small-scale cleaning and adjustment every 15 to 20 years, with more extensive repairs carried out every 30 to 35 years and a major refurbishment every 100 years.
The project involves replacing the organ’s mechanism, extensive work to dismantle, clean and overhaul the instrument and minor changes to the organ case to both improve how it looks and the sound it allows out. This includes returning to use the majority of the 100 decorative case pipes, which have been silent since the last major project in 1903.
The plans also include creating a new music library underneath the organ, inside the screen which separates the Quire from the Nave, subject to the relevant permissions being obtained.
This project aims to ensure the unique sound of the Minster’s organ is preserved, while restoring the grander, imposing qualities of the instrument which were altered during work in the 1960s.
During the two years of refurbishment work, the Minster’s full music programme will continue. A grand piano will be used alongside an existing chamber organ in the Quire and a digital organ will serve both the Nave and Quire.
The £2m project is being funded by donations and funding from the Chapter of York’s reserves, but public donations would also be welcomed.
If you would like to support the project, visit www.yorkminster.org, or contact the York Minster Fund by emailing ymf@yorkminster.org or calling 01904 557245.
York Minster welcomes Sir William Worsley as a new member of the cathedral’s Chapter and College of Canons
Sir William Worsley will be Admitted and Installed as a Lay Canon of York Minster and a member of the Chapter of York on Saturday 15 September. The Admission will take place in a private ceremony in the Chapter House and will be followed by Sir William’s Installation during Choral Evensong in the Quire at 5.15pm, which everyone is welcome to attend.
The College of Canons consists of clergy and lay people drawn from across the Diocese of York. Its principal function is to be ‘the voice of the Diocese’ in the Corporate Body’s policy discussions, and to assist Chapter in developing closer ties between the Minster and the parishes of the Diocese, especially through Chapter’s programme of outreach and engagement work.
Biography – Sir William Worsley
Sir William Worsley is Chairman of the Forestry Commission and of Hovingham Estate. He was the Government’s National Tree Champion from 2018-2020 and was Chairman of the National Forest Company 2016-2020. He is also Chairman of the Howardian Hills AONB Joint Advisory Committee. He is President (elect) of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and of the Royal Agricultural Societies.
He Is a former President of the CLA, the Country Land and Business Association, the representative organisation of the rural economy, a former Chairman of the Scarborough Building Society and a former director of the Skipton Building Society, The Brunner Investment Trust plc and the Private Banking Board of Merchant Bank Guinness Mahon.