The Acting Dean of York – The Reverend Canon Peter Moger

On Monday 25 June, the current Dean of York, The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull will assume her legal title as the 57^th Bishop of Bristol.  She will be consecrated at St Paul’s Cathedral on 3 July and will begin public ministry in her new role in October. The process to nominate her successor as the new Dean of York is already underway.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has appointed The Reverend Canon Peter Moger, Canon Precentor at York Minster, as Acting Dean of York for the duration of the vacancy.

Annual Report and Chapter’s Report on Progress 2017

The Chapter of York has published its Annual Report and Chapter’s Report on Progress 2017.  The document provides detailed information about York Minster’s financial performance and includes a review of the year’s events and activities.

The statutory accounts for 2017 show income of £9.07 million against expenditure of £8.56 million resulting in a surplus before investment gains of £509,000 (compared to a deficit of £391,000 in 2016).

Total funds for the year ended 31 December 2017 increased by £4.7m to £51 million.  This was largely due to the revaluation of the property portfolio in the year, in addition to investments performing well for a second consecutive year.

Commenting on the Minster’s 2017 performance, the outgoing Dean of York, the Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull, said:

“2017 was a year of achievement, anticipation and excitement at York Minster. After more than 10 years of planning and preparation and the most exquisite and detailed work on stained glass and stone, the scaffolding came down and we revealed the glory of the East Front and the beauty of John Thornton’s Great East Window, Britain’s largest expanse of medieval stained glass and one of the largest medieval windows ever made. We can now view this masterpiece in its pristine condition for the first time in more than 600 years. Seeing the reaction of visitors and talking to them about the window has been a truly rewarding experience.

“It was also a year in which we welcomed many more people to the Minster.  People came for many different reasons:  for worship and pilgrimage, for special services and events and to immerse themselves in the Minster’s magnificent architecture, history and culture. Whatever their reasons for coming,  we have focused our efforts on ensuring that each person receives a warm, world class welcome and an excellent experience.”

The highlights in Chapter’s annual report include:

• 12 per cent more worshippers than 2016
• a record year for visitors with almost 700,000 people attending special services, events and for tourism
• the final phases of the decade long restoration and conservation programme on the East End and the Great East Window
• an innovative new 20-year, £11m partnership between The Chapter of York and the York Glazier’s Trust to provide state-of-the-art protective glazing for the cathedral’s stained glass windows. The partnership is supported by a match-funding grant, awarded to the York Minster Fund, of up to £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund
• the start of a two year, £2m project that will see York Minster’s Grand Organ undergo a refurbishment for the first time in 100 years.

Commenting on an outstanding year of progress at the Minster, Viv Faull added:

“During the last six years, Chapter concentrated on developing the capabilities needed to sustain mission into the future. We focused on finance, audit, risk management, governance and training and development of staff and volunteers. The outcomes achieved in 2017 are a direct result of this approach.

As she prepares to leave York Minster for her new role as Bishop of Bristol, Viv Faull paid tribute to the Minster’s community.  She said:

“I will hold in my heart very strong memories of the energy and commitment of the Minster’s staff, volunteers, worshippers and donors.  It has been an honour to lead and to be part of this wonderful extended team.”

York Minster’s income is invested in a wide and complex range of activities including:

• playing an active role across the Diocese of York and the Northern Province
• supporting the work of the Archbishop of York
• an outstanding programme of worship, music and liturgy
• delivering a world class welcome to our local, domestic and international visitors
• internationally renowned work to conserve, restore and repair stained glass and stone
• caring for the cathedral’s buildings and investment properties
• Preserving ancient craft skills through an expanded apprenticeship programme.

Full reports available here

Northern Lights weekend raises £1.4 million to help protect York Minster’s stained glass

A weekend of spectacular events organised by the York Minster Fund has raised £1.4 million to help protect York Minster’s world famous collection of stained glass

The Northern Lights weekend opened on Friday (15 June) with a gala fundraising dinner enjoyed by 700 guests in the Minster’s Nave, before the cathedral opened its doors after hours on Saturday and Sunday for two sell-out screenings of a new sound and light projection by artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid.

The events were organised to support an innovative campaign to build sufficient funds to extend state-of-the-art external glazing to all of the Minster’s historically important windows, 60% of which currently have no protection from the elements.

The work will take 20 years to complete in partnership with the York Glaziers Trust and cost £11m in total.

Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund, said: “We’re hugely grateful to our sponsors and everyone who came to support the spectacular Northern Lights weekend and are delighted, with the support of the Heritage Lottery, to have raised such a fantastic amount to kick start our fundraising campaign.

“York Minster’s windows hold one of the most important collections of medieval stained glass in the country, with the earliest pieces dating back to the late 12^th century. Our work with York Glaziers Trust over the next 20 years will ensure these irreplaceable masterpieces are protected for generations to come.

“Our three-year fundraising campaign is to establish an endowment fund for the 20 year programme and involves a match-funding grant of up to £1m from the Heritage Lottery. This means that for every £1 raised over the weekend, at least £4 will be added to the conservation project pot, and we are hugely grateful to the lottery for this support.”

The money raised will then be invested and the returns from the fund used to help pay for the ongoing conservation work over the next two decades.

The entertainment at Friday’s gala dinner – the first on this scale since 2012 – included illuminated stilt walkers and a performance by Heliosphere by The Dream Engine. An acrobat suspended beneath a giant helium balloon interacted with guests as she floated through the cathedral’s Nave.

The dinner was followed by the world premiere performance of Northern Lights a sound and light projection by artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid, which took its inspiration from the cathedral’s stained glass and architecture. It told the story of time, from first creation to final revelation, mirroring ideas and images from the recently restored Great East Window.

The weekend continued when the Northern Lights installation was also shown at two sell-out evening opening events on Saturday and Sunday, which attracted 3,000people.

The artwork realised a ten year ambition for the London-based artists to create a piece inside York Minster, following their highly successful projection Rose, shown outside York Minster’s South Transept in 2010.

The success of the weekend’s events were made possible thanks to the support of a number of generous supporters. Headline sponsor for the event was Langleys Solicitors, principal sponsor Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School and major sponsor UBS.

A range of items were also donated for the gala dinner including a specially designed sapphire and diamond Yorkshire Rose necklace by Ogden Harrogate, champagne by Joseph Perrier, courtesy of Field and Fawcett, and fillet steak by Dovecote Park.

The stained-glass window that was expertly created by the York Glaziers Trust for the 2016 Welcome to Yorkshire Chelsea Flower Show Garden was also gifted as an auction prize by the tourism body. Other generous sponsors for the events included Cazenove Capital and Press Green Ltd.

York Minster transformed for Northern Lights to raise funds for glass conservation

York Minster’s cavernous Nave will be transformed this week in preparation for Northern Lights – a special weekend of events to raise funds for the cathedral’s glass preservation project.

The weekend starts on Friday 15th June with a gala fundraising dinner for 700 guests organised by the York Minster Fund, the first on this scale since the Diamond Jubilee Rose Dinner in 2012.

Then on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June, the cathedral will open its doors after hours for two public events where visitors will be able to see a new sound and light projection designed by artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid, taking inspiration from the cathedral’s stained glass and architecture.

The events have been organised to raise funds to support the 20 year project to extend state-of-the-art external glazing to all 128 of the Minster’s mostly medieval stained glass windows, around 60% of which currently have no protection from the elements.

Work began on Monday (11 June) when approximately 1400 chairs were removed from the cathedral’s Nave to allow preparations to begin for the dinner. During the week work will include installing equipment for the sound and light projection, erecting catering marquees and the delivery and laying of 70 tables for the dinner.

The headline sponsor for the event is Langleys Solicitors, principal sponsor Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School and major sponsor UBS. A range  of items have also been donated for the fundraising dinner including a specially designed sapphire and diamond Yorkshire Rose necklace by Ogden Harrogate, champagne by Joseph Perrier, courtesy of Field and Fawcett, and fillet steak by Dovecote Park.

The stained-glass window that was expertly created by the York Glaziers Trust for the 2016 Welcome to Yorkshire Chelsea Flower Show Garden has also been gifted as an auction prize by the tourism body.

Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund, said: “We’re hugely excited to see the Nave being transformed for this weekend’s fundraising events. York Minster has a very special collection of stained glass. Its windows hold one of the world’s most important collections of medieval glass with the earliest pieces dating back to c.1160.

“Currently, over 70 of these irreplaceable windows have no protection from the elements, leaving them exposed to damage and decay. The funds raised from these events will directly support our work to provide protection to this glass, buying much needed time for conservation work, and we’re therefore hugely grateful to all our sponsors and to everyone who plans to visit and support us over the weekend.”

To kick start the fundraising programme, the York Minster Fund (YMF) is being supported by an endowment grant of up to £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This means that for the first £1m raised over the next three years, every £1 given by the public will be matched by YMF and then by the HLF. So for every £1 donated by the public, at least £4 will be added to the conservation project pot.

Tickets for the events on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June cost £5 and can be purchased through the Minster’s website at www.yorkminster.org. Doors open at 8pm, when visitors can experience the cathedral at dusk, with its Nave cleared of chairs and filled with music from its Grand Organ, before the sound and light projection is shown at 9.30pm. Last admission is at 9pm and the event will finish at approximately 10pm.

Each £5 ticket will directly contribute £20 to our stained glass conservation project, thanks to match funding from the York Minster Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd CBE

The Dean of York, The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull, today expressed her shock and sadness at the news of the death of The Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd CBE.

Commenting on the news, The Dean said:

“This is a very sad day.  Barry’s passing will of course be most acutely felt by his wife and family and friends.  He was greatly admired and he will be missed by a much wider community of people across North Yorkshire and beyond.  He was a dear colleague and adviser and a great friend and supporter of York Minster.  His loss is profound and will be deeply felt by a great many people. “

York Minster launches new Heart of Yorkshire Festival for summer 2018

A NEW pop-up festival packed with exhibitions, events and activities for all ages will run in York Minster’s Dean’s Park this summer.

The Heart of Yorkshire Festival will see the space transformed for a range of events, including an international stone carving festival, open air cinema and a tipi bar with sculpture exhibition from the team behind the popular THOR’S tipi bar.

Other highlights from the summer in the park programme, which runs from 4 July to 2 September, include family music, dance and storytelling workshops, talks and activities for adults and the return of the Minster’s popular children’s craft activities.

The festival is themed around sustainability, the environment and conservation, reflecting the completion of the 10-year, £11.5m project to restore the cathedral’s East End and Great East Window, and the ideas of life and restoration which sit at the heart of the Christian faith.

The centrepiece of the festival will be the international York Minster Stone Carving Festival – the first the cathedral has hosted since 2010 – which will run from the 17 to 19 August. More than 70 stonemasons and carvers from across the UK and Europe will showcase their skills during the three-day festival, which starts with the popular annual Stoneyard Open Day, followed by two days of carving in Dean’s Park.

Throughout the two month festival, pop-up tipi bar SÓL ÁST, from the team behind THOR’S tipi bar, will provide street food and drinks with a summery vibe, including their signature cocktail the ‘Minster Martini’. A large outdoor garden and terrace will host an exhibition of contemporary sculptures by renowned Yorkshire artist Michael Lyons, paying homage to the bar’s theme of sun and light.

To conclude the festival, the country’s leading producer of open-air cinema, The Luna Cinema, will screen three blockbuster films between the 28 and 30 August, allowing viewers to enjoy a film under the stars with the Gothic cathedral as a backdrop. The films are Pan’s Labyrinth (28 August), Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (29 August) and The Greatest Showman (30 August).

Family workshops include ‘Trashbang!’, an interactive music workshop from Billy Hickling, previously performer and rehearsal director with international stage hit STOMP, and a song-writing workshop with award-winning songwriter and musician David Gibb.

Hands-on children’s craft activities will run throughout the school holidays celebrating the theme ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Creatures Great and Small’, with the chance for youngsters to earn stickers towards the Arts Award Discover certificate.

Adult activities include flower arranging workshops with York Minster’s flower arrangers, willow weaving sessions, urban beekeeping demonstrations and interactive displays with the cathedral’s broderers. As part of the programme, York Minster’s flower arrangers will take centre stage on 7 July demonstrating their skills as part of the BLOOM festival – a city celebration of the 250^th anniversary of The Ancient Society of York Florists – the oldest florist society in the world.

Kathryn Blacker, Chapter Steward at York Minster, said: “We’re hugely excited to launch this new summer festival in Dean’s Park, which lies at the heart of the city, in collaboration with the team behind THOR’S tipi.

“The Heart of Yorkshire Festival programme has been created to celebrate and pay thanks to the depth of skill and dedication which goes into caring for this sacred place, and we look forward to welcoming people throughout the summer to experience it for themselves.”

Co-Founder of THOR’S Bars Ltd, Amanda Monaghan, said: “We are thrilled to be invited by the Minster to host our very first summer bar in such an iconic location. Dean’s Park is a hidden gem and our pop-up bar within the Heart of Yorkshire Festival offers residents and visitors alike the opportunity to come and enjoy the gardens.

“Our summer theme will offer the perfect setting to enjoy the sunshine with a terrace, large garden and an amazing summer drinks menu carefully designed to ensure there is something for everyone. With street food dining, alfresco drinking, day beds, summer tunes and contemporary sculptures to view, SÓL ÁST tipi bar at the Minster is the sunny and summery place to be in York.”

For full details of all events, including how to book tickets, visit www.yorkminster.org.

Northern Lights transform York Minster to raise glass conservation funds

A new and unique art experience will transform York Minster’s Nave next month when the cathedral opens its doors after hours for Northern Lights.

Artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid from double Guinness World Record winning company The Projection Studio have designed the sound and light projection, which will be shown on the 16 and 17 June, taking inspiration from the cathedral’s stained glass and architecture.

Visitors will have the chance to experience the Minster at dusk from 8pm, with its cavernous Nave completely cleared of chairs and filled with music from the cathedral’s organ, before the light and sound installation is shown at 9.30pm.

The events will launch a new three-year fundraising campaign to extend state-of-the-art external glazing to all 128 of the Minster’s mostly medieval stained glass windows, 60% of which currently have no protection from the elements.

The artwork realises a long-held ambition for London-based projection artist Ross, who is well known in York for outdoor projections including several artworks for Illuminating York and the highly successful projection Rose, shown outside York Minster’s South Transept in 2010.

Ross said: “Unlike our previous pieces, this one is particularly special as it will be inside the Minster itself. We have been looking at the Nave of the Minster ever since we first came to create a piece for York ten years ago, and we’re hugely excited to be given the opportunity to realise our ideas.

“The aim is to create something immersive, with projection stretching above the viewer along the vaulted Nave roof and in front of them on the Heart of Yorkshire in the Great West Window. It’s an ambitious and exciting prospect – a new and unique art experience for York and the Minster.”

Sound artist Karen has taken inspiration from the cathedral’s music and the artwork will include recordings by the York Minster Choir.

“The sound elements will fill the Minster’s Nave, surrounding the listener with soundscapes and effects,” Karen added. “The choir is outstanding and its repertoire is incredibly wide. The choices we made, in conjunction with Robert Sharpe, the Director of Music, will really add something special to the experience of the piece.”

The events have been organised as part of a fundraising weekend to raise money to extend state-of-the-art protective glazing to all 128 of the Minster’s mostly medieval stained glass windows over the next 20 years. Currently, over 70 of the windows have no protection from the elements, leaving them exposed to damage and decay.

To carry out the work, the cathedral has teamed up with the York Glaziers Trust and the York Minster Fund (YMF), supported by an endowment grant of up to £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Over the next three years, every £1 raised by the public and the YMF will be matched by the HLF up to £1m, meaning for every £1 donated by the public, up to £5 could be added to the conservation project pot.

All profits from the weekend events will support the fundraising campaign. Doors open at 8pm, with last admission 9pm, before the sound and light projection is shown at 9.30pm. The event will finish at approximately 10pm.

Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased through the Minster’s website at www.yorkminster.org. For more information visit the website or call 01904 557200.

Have your say: York Minster to consult the public on a Precinct Masterplan

The first phase of a public consultation that will contribute to the preparation of a masterplan for the future development and use of the buildings and land within York Minster’s boundaries, opens on Friday 25 May in Dean’s Park, York.

York Minster sits on a six hectare site that was first occupied more than 2000 years ago.  Known as the “Precinct”, the area includes, the Old Palace Library and Archive, the Minster School, the internationally renowned Stoneyard, homes for the Minster’s clergy team, office accommodation and Dean’s Park – the biggest area of green space within the city walls.

Commenting on the launch of the consultation, The Dean of York, The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull said:

“We are at the very earliest stage of this work. We know that there is an extended, global community of people who are passionate about York Minster – worshippers, people who live and work in the city of York and the region, visitors, local businesses and many, many more.  We are at the very early stage and want everyone to have their say.

“We want to hear their responses to our vision and learn what is important to them.  We also want them to contribute their thoughts, ideas and suggestions for how the Precinct might evolve in the future.  The plan must reflect the needs of our community and visitors.”

Whilst York Minster is rooted in the city’s ancient history, wave after wave of human settlement has resulted in a site that has been subject to continuous change and amendment over many centuries. The impact of ancient communities such as the early Christians, the Romans, Vikings and Anglo-Saxons can still be seen around the Precinct.  The pace of change continued through the construction of the medieval cathedral we see today, and on through the Reformation, the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era. There has been frequent alteration, change of use and demolition of buildings to accommodate changing needs in the Precinct and in the city. Most recently, the Minster’s South Piazza was transformed into a welcoming public space as part of the Heritage Lottery funded York Minster Revealed project.

In recent years, the use of some of the buildings, land and public areas within the Precinct have become more challenging. Key issues include:

• ongoing conservation and restoration of some Precinct buildings
• better use of the available spaces for offices and residential use
• opening up the Precinct to create more attractive public spaces
• improving facilities at the Minster School
• addressing the use of buildings such as St William’s College and the Old Palace
• the lack of key facilities such as a dedicated café for locals and visitors
• how to make Dean’s Park a vibrant open space at the heart the city
• the future environmental and economic sustainability of the Precinct.

Dean Faull added:

“Our vision for the future will respect, enhance and protect more than 2000 years of human history, worship and activity on this ancient site.  It will also provide the blueprint for sustainable development that will meet the needs of current and future generations of worshippers, residents, workers, volunteers and visitors to the Minster.”

The consultation opens on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 May with an exhibition event in Dean’s Park. Large panel boards with information about the vision for the York Minster Precinct will be displayed in a marquee over the two days. Visitors will be encouraged to have their say and to share their ideas and suggestions.  Members of the Minster’s Precinct Masterplan team will be on hand to answer questions and queries.   The event will run from 11am until 7pm across the two days.  The boards will also be available to view in the Minster’s South Transept on Sunday 27 May.
For those unable to make it to Dean’s Park, the consultation will also be available online from 10.00am on Friday 25 May at masterplanning.yorkminster.org to give as many people as possible the opportunity to view the details and comment.  The consultation will run until midnight on Saturday 30 June.

All of the feedback received will be presented in a Statement of Consultation which will be published online later in the summer and will help to shape the development of the masterplan over the coming months before a further consultation in the autumn”.

Special services to mark the completion of work to York Minster’s Great East Window

Two special services will take place at York Minster this month to celebrate the completion of the decade long project to conserve and restore the cathedral’s Great East Window.

On Saturday 12 May, pilgrims walking from across the Diocese of York will gather at the cathedral to share in a special reception and Evensong service hosted by the Chapter of York and the York Minster Fund. The event has been organised to give pilgrims and worshippers from across the diocese an opportunity to enjoy the fully restored window for the first time in ten years.

Then, on Thursday 17 May, a celebratory Evensong will take place in the Minster’s Nave where the window will be rededicated by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull. The service, which is open to all to attend, has been organised to thank everyone who has been involved in the restoration project over the last decade.

It will be followed by a reception where copies of the new book by York Glaziers Trust Director Sarah Brown – The Great East Window of York Minster – An English Masterpiece – will be available to purchase.

Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund, said: “We are holding these events to say thank you to the many people whose work, support, wishes and prayers over the last decade have sustained us through this incredibly challenging and complex project.

“We look forward to welcoming people at both events to enjoy and celebrate the completion of work on the window, which is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the country.”

The pilgrimage started on Sunday (6 May) with walkers setting out from locations across the diocese. Many pilgrims are walking to raise money for charities including Christian Aid and Embrace the Middle East, one of three charities sponsored by York Minster’s congregation. Most of those walking for Embrace are walking on Saturday 12 May from Huby Church to York Minster – a distance of 11 miles.

Pilgrimage is a personal journey: for some it involves a strenuous physical journey, while for others it is simply the act of travelling and arriving.

The pilgrims will travel through some of Yorkshire’s most beautiful scenery and along some of the most ancient pilgrimage routes in the country. The walkers will tackle a variety of routes with some distances taking several days to complete, whilst others will choose day walks or to walk short sections. York Minster’s walking group of 16 pilgrims recently embarked on a seven day journey from Whitby to the Minster.

Pilgrims will be welcomed at the cathedral on Saturday afternoon (12 May) for refreshments before the Evensong service takes place in the Quire at 5.15pm.

On Thursday 17 May the service starts in the Minster’s Nave at 5.15pm and the reception will follow at 6pm.

York Minster to screen Manchester Arena attack anniversary service

York Minster will host the live screening of a special service from 2.00 to 3.00pm on Tuesday 22 May to mark and reflect on the first anniversary of the Manchester Arena terror attack.

The attack claimed the lives of 22 people and left those of many others changed forever.

The National Service of Commemoration at Manchester Cathedral will welcome a congregation including bereaved families, first responders, city leaders and senior national figures. Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will be attending the service at Manchester Cathedral.

But in recognition of the fact that the terrible events of 22 May 2017 touched people across the country, and that many of the victims came from across the North of Britain, the service is also being screened at York Minster, Glasgow Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral – giving others the chance to come together in solidarity and prayer.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

“The attack at Manchester Arena last year was an attack on our common humanity. The solidarity, love and support shown across the country and beyond helped us through an incredibly difficult period and demonstrated a collective refusal to give in to hatred and fear. We were incredibly grateful for that and I’m grateful to York Minster for giving people the opportunity to join with us as we reflect on the anniversary.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said:

“I will be at the service in Manchester on Tuesday, as I was last year, standing alongside the Bishop of Manchester and many other leaders from a great city in shared grief at the loss of so many young lives.  We will stand together in shared solidarity and commitment to peace and the wellbeing of all.  This is a time for communities to hold together, to care for one another, to respect the privacy of those carrying this grief, and to hold on to the truth that: ‘Love is stronger than hate, light is stronger than darkness, life is stronger than death.’  May God give us his peace and blessing.”

The Dean of York, The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull said:

“This will be a very difficult day for the people of Manchester and the many across the north of England who were affected by the attack. It is almost impossible to come to terms with an event so savage, so senseless and so inhumane. For those who lost loved ones or suffered serious injury, the loss and trauma will be life changing and life-long.

“However on this difficult day we will remember with love, those who died.  We will remember the courage of those who were first on the scene that night, the selflessness and professionalism of the emergency services and the wonderful response of the city of Manchester to this horrible event. Manchester is a resilient community united in grief but defiant and strong in the face of terror.”

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Barbara Boyce, said:

“The inhumane and senseless attack in Manchester last year affected us all either directly or indirectly. York lost two of its citizens and their children were left without parents. This special service gives everyone the opportunity to stand together and to demonstrate that we will continue to show love and compassion to one another and not live in fear of hatred and terror.”

The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull Dean of York to become 57th Bishop of Bristol

Statement from The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull Dean of York on her appointment as the 57^th Bishop of Bristol

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the nomination of the Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Frances Faull, Dean of York in the diocese of York, as the 57^th Bishop of Bristol. She will be consecrated on 3 July in St Paul’s Cathedral.

Commenting on her appointment, Viv Faull said:

“The invitation to become Bishop of Bristol is a delight to me: the Diocese of Bristol is pioneering. It was the first to ordain women as priests and it is investing in several ambitious projects around the diocese as it grows in confidence.

“The main tasks for the new Bishop are to broaden the outreach of the church and to link with wider civil society in Bristol, Swindon and (as they say in the Diocese) along the M4 corridor.

“But alongside the delight there is the sadness of leaving the Minster and York, and in particular the volunteers, worshippers and staff.

“It has been wonderful to lead this great community in inviting everyone to discover God’s love.”

Click here to download the full press release from number 10 Downing Street

Click here to download the press release from Diocese of Bristol, including a statement from The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.

Hundreds gather for special York Minster Beacon event to celebrate finale of global prayer movement

York Minster will be hosting a special Beacon event to celebrate the international, ecumenical, prayer movement – Thy Kingdom Come – on Sunday 20 May from 7.30 until 9.00pm. (Doors open from 7pm).

Organised by The Belfrey and York Minster alongside One Voice York, the event aims to attract hundreds of people from York and beyond to celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Dean Vivienne Faull will welcome all to York Minster and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will preach at this contemporary event.  It will include music by The Belfrey Band and opportunities for informal prayer and reflection, as well as in-conversation pieces with Associate Ministers at The Belfrey, Ben Doolan and Ellie May.

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said:

“Come and join me in the awe inspiring York Minster as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirt, the same Spirit which powerfully raised Jesus Christ from the dead and now lives in us. It is my prayer that all who have joined in Thy Kingdom Come will be encouraged and inspired to live out lives which herald God’s kingdom of love, justice and mercy.”

York Minster is just one of a handful of Beacon events happening across the UK. Churches up and down the country will be hosting Thy Kingdom Come events from 10 – 20 May.

Thy Kingdom Come, began as a simple invitation to prayer from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in 2016, but has since blossomed into a global movement bringing together hundreds of thousands of Christians from across the globe to pray for more people to come to know the amazing love of Jesus Christ during the 11-day period from Ascension to Pentecost.

In 2017 alone, more than 85 countries – ranging from Canada to Australia, South Sudan to Japan – took part and it is hoped that this year, even greater numbers of individuals, families and churches will be involved.