York Minster’s new Canon for Congregational Discipleship and Nurture The Revd Canon Timothy Goode
The Chapter of York today announced the appointment of The Revd Canon Timothy Goode, currently Rector of St Margaret’s Church Lee in the Diocese of Southwark, London, as Canon for Congregational Discipleship and Nuture at York Minster.
In this new role, Timothy’s focus will be to grow, develop and support the life and witness of the many congregations in the Minster, creating opportunities to encounter the Christian faith and to nurture those seeking to understand and explore their faith journey.
Timothy will develop and train a pastoral team and co-ordinate pastoral care for those in the community including congregations, volunteers and staff and look at ways to deliver pastoral care to visitors including the support and development of the cathedral’s duty Chaplains. He will be the first point of contact for the arrangements of key life events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. He will also lead work to develop and nurture Children and Families Ministry and work with the city’s university chaplains to create a faith network for students and young people in Ministry.
Commenting on Timothy’s appointment, The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell said:
“I couldn’t be more delighted about Tim’s appointment. Tim is a gifted communicator, a strategic thinker, a loving pastor and a compelling advocate for the Christian faith. I’ve got to know Tim a bit through his membership of the General Synod and the Archbishops’ Council. I very much look forward to welcoming him and Bernie to York.”
Timothy will be part of the cathedral clergy team led by The Dean of York, The Very Revd Dominic Barrington. Dominic said:
“I am enormously excited that Tim will be joining the clergy team this autumn. His ministry as a parish priest has been exciting and distinguished, and his enthusiasm for the gospel is infectious. I am confident that he will bring great gifts to the life of this cathedral church, and help us grow in mission, ministry and service.”
Timothy and his family will move to York in the summer with Timothy starting his new role on 9 September. Commenting on his new role, Timothy said:
‘I am so thrilled to become the new Canon for Congregational Discipleship and Nurture at York Minster. It is an exciting time to be joining the Minster community, especially starting so soon after the arrival of the new Dean. I am so looking forward to getting to know all who worship, who work and who volunteer at York Minster.
“It will be a wrench to leave St Margaret’s Lee, which has been my spiritual home for the past five years and where I have learnt and received so much. But I am looking forward to returning north to Yorkshire where I spent three very happy years studying music at Huddersfield and during which time I was a regular visitor to York. I am particularly looking forward to being a Canon at York Minster where I have also so enjoyed visiting for our Sunday worship during the York General Synods each July.”
Biographical details – Revd Canon Timothy Goode
Tim studied Music at Huddersfield Polytechnic and trained as a secondary school teacher at the Roehampton Institute. He was Director of Music of Homefield School from 1995-2007. He trained for ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon and served his title at Croydon Minster, in the Diocese of Southwark and was ordained priest in 2010.
From September 2012 to May 2018, Tim was Team Vicar of St Luke’s Whyteleafe and St Peter and St Paul, Chaldon, part of the Caterham Team ministry. From 2013 to 2021 he was also the Southwark Diocesan Disability Advisor. Since May 2018 he has been the Rector of St Margaret’s Lee in the Southwark Diocese.
Tim is a member of the National Disability Task Group, which advises the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on disability issues. Since 2015, Tim has been a member of the General Synod and he led the first debate on disability at the General Synod in July 2022.
Since February 2021 he has been a member of Archbishops’ Council. Tim was made an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral in September 2020 and has been a trustee of the Churches Conservation Trust since November 2020.
Tim is married to Bernie who is Head of the Science Faculty at Sutton High School Surrey and is looking forward to joining St Peter’s School, York in the Autumn.
Tim is disabled and his theological work is particularly focused on the Theology of Disability and especially on articularing a Christian Anthropology rooted in the risen body of Jesus Christ.
York Minster marks further sustainability milestone with Deangate retrofit project
York Minster has hailed the positive effects of its ground-breaking Neighbourhood Plan as it plans the delivery of its first low carbon retrofit project.
The Neighbourhood Plan sets out a 15-year policy led approach to create a sustainable future for York Minster and its seven-hectare estate.
In the latest positive development for its delivery, plans to sustainably convert and refurbish 1 Deangate in the Minster Precinct have been given the go ahead by City of York Council.
The building will become offices and welfare facilities for the Minster’s Visitor Experience staff and volunteers.
It is the third recent major planning consent for renewable energy projects linked to York Minster’s decarbonisation strategy, following permissions for photovoltaic and solar panels on the roofs of the cathedral’s South Quire Aisle and soon-to-be-launched Refectory restaurant.
With these and the forthcoming Centre of Excellence project, the Minster is set to generate an average of 170,000 kilowatt-hours of power annually, the equivalent of over half of the Minster’s overall use.
The 1 Deangate retrofit project will see the addition of new technology to an older building and include the latest in sustainable design and performance, including real-time energy use, water efficiency equipment and air-source heat pumps.
It will be fully insulated and include a warm room and double-glazed wooden sliding sash windows in keeping with the building’s original architecture.
The Dean of York, the Very Revd Dominic Barrington, said: “The redevelopment of 1 Deangate is another major milestone in our journey towards net zero, with other similar projects set to follow as funding allows.
“Retrofitting our historical buildings is supported by a recent report commissioned by the National Trust, Historic England and other leading property organisations which found that improving the energy efficiency of aged properties could reduce carbon emissions from the UK’s buildings by 5% each year, whilst making them cheaper to run.”
Commenting on the wider Neighbourhood Plan, Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, added: “Our Neighbourhood Plan has set a trailblazing approach, not only for planning matters, but crucially for enabling us to safeguard the Minster and to create a sustainable future for both the cathedral building and its surrounding Precinct.
“We are extremely proud of the leading role we are playing in challenging the established narrative around the conservation of historic buildings. Our approach is a shining example of best practice in managing complex heritage estates and how to secure their long-term environmental, financial and heritage sustainability for future generations to enjoy.”
York Minster’s Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management is the pioneer project in the Neighbourhood Plan. Expected to be completed by mid-2024, it will establish the York Minster Precinct as a world class campus facility for research, education and training in ancient craft skills.
It will bring benefits including continuing the craft of stonemasonry through upskilling its heritage estates team and extending the number of apprenticeship placements the Minster offers. And by forging international partnerships with a network of cathedrals worldwide, it will ensure the specialist skills required to implement necessary and urgent change are in place whilst respecting and protecting the Minster’s history and heritage.
For more information about the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan, visit here.
York Minster to host special performances of Peter and the Wolf to introduce children to classical music
Join brave young Peter as he overcomes his fear of a big bad wolf in Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf played on York Minster’s newly-refurbished Grand Organ.
Hear captivating instrumental characterisations of Peter’s animal friends as a live feed of the cathedral’s marvellous organ played by Ben Morris, Assistant Director of Music at York Minster, is shown on screens to the audience. Using special stops on the organ, Ben will guide young listeners through the sounds of this magnificent instrument. The performance will be narrated by Stuart Perry, the Silly History Boys’ silliest boy.
Prokofiev’s familiar and accessible composition is the perfect introduction to classical music. During the performance, children are encouraged to sit on cushions and rugs at the front of the Nave to get the best possible view of the organ. The performance will last 30 minutes and is suitable for those aged 5 to 95.
Ben Morris, Assistant Director of Music at York Minster, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming people of all ages into the cathedral to experience the magnificent sound of our Grand Organ. Peter and the Wolf uses vivid musical motifs to introduce children to classical music in a fun and accessible way.”
The performances will take place on Wednesday 31 May and Thursday 1 June at 7.30pm and will last approximately 30 minutes.
Tickets are now available via York Minster’s website and cost £8 for an adult and £6 for a child. A family ticket of £22 for two adults and two children is also available.
Tickets can also be booked by contacting the York Minster Box Office on 01904 557200.
Services and events at York Minster for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III
York Minster will mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III with worship, music, exhibitions and an event to recruit more volunteers as part of The Big Help Out, the national charity for the Coronation.
Commenting on the Coronation weekend at the cathedral, the Very Revd Dominic Barrington, Dean of York said: “The Coronation of our new Monarch is a momentous and significant event in the life of the nation and the Commonwealth. I am sure that we will all celebrate the magnificent, dazzling and colourful pageantry of this immensely historic occasion.
“However at the heart of the ceremony will be a man of deep religious faith, dedicating his life to duty and service and committing himself to the care of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I think many people will be deeply moved by the religious ritual and symbolism of a unique service that the vast majority of us will be witnessing for the very first time.
“At York Minster there will be services and prayers for the King and for the Royal Family throughout the weekend. Our celebrations will include bell ringing, an invitation for people to visit the cathedral with family and friends and to picnic in the Minster’s gardens. We will also be joining the Coronation’s national charity campaign, The Big Help Out where we hope to get people excited and interested in becoming a volunteer at York Minster.”
Friday 5 May
5.30pm – Choral Evensong for the Eve of the Coronation
At this special Evensong service on the eve of the Coronation, the Choir of York Minster will perform Handel’s Zadok the Priest. The sermon will be given by Canon Dr Victoria Johnson, Precentor
Saturday 6 May
Coronation Day – York Minster open as normal
Our services will be said today and will include prayers for the new King. York Minster will be open for worship and sightseeing as usual.
Exhibition: Majesty: Monarchy & York Minster
Visit the cathedral’s Majesty: Monarchy & York Minster exhibition specially updated for the Coronation. The exhibition traces the influence of the monarchy throughout York Minster’s history through items in the Minster’s collections. Highlights include: a Bible and matching Prayer Book, bound in red velvet and finely decorated in silver with the keys of St Peter, purchased by York Minster with a grant from King Charles I; a Minster Police truncheon with royal arms; Maundy Money distributed by Queen Elizabeth II during her last visit to York Minster in 2012, and the Great Seal of Queen Anne used to authenticate important documents.
Sunday 7 May
All of our services will include prayers for the new King.
8am – Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10am – Choral Matins
11am – Sung Eucharist
This service will give thanks and praise to God and mark the Coronation through music and a sermon given by The Very Revd Dominic Barrington, Dean of York.
2.30pm – ‘Ring for the King’- Quarter Peal Attempt
Bring a picnic to Dean’s Park and enjoy the space whilst listening to York Minster’s Bell Ringers attempt a celebratory quarter peal on our bells. The Minster’s bells are the fourth heaviest ring of 12 in the world. The team will ring a minimum of 1250 changes during the quarter peal attempt which will last around an hour.
4pm – A Special Commemorative Service for the Coronation of King Charles III
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, will preach at this special civic service. Music by the Choir of York Minster will include Parry’s Coronation anthem ‘I was glad’ and Byrd’s O Lord, ‘Make thy servant Charles our King’.
All are welcome.
Monday 8 May
9.30am –‘Ring for the King’ – Full Peal Attempt
The cathedral’s bell ringing team will ascend the bell tower once again, this time to make a spectacular full peal attempt in honour of the new Monarch. A full peal is a real test of bell-ringing virtuosity consisting of more than 5,000 changes rung non-stop without any change being repeated. The full peal attempt will take around four hours to complete.
The Big Help Out – Volunteer at York Minster
Thousands of organisations across the country will be getting together for The Big Help Out, the national charity campaign marking the Coronation by encouraging people everywhere to have a go at volunteering. York Minster relies on the support of over 400 volunteers to enhance the experience and enjoyment of people, worshipping at and visiting the cathedral. Volunteer is a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and to get involved in the life of the cathedral. Information about volunteering at the Minster will be available during the day or online at Volunteer | York Minster. For more information about The Big Help Out go to www.thebighelpout.org.uk
College Green re-dedicated by The Dean of York
Following a substantial programme of design, landscaping and new planting, York Minster’s popular College Green reopens today (Friday 31st March), as a vibrant green space in the heart of the city of York.
The opening ceremony for the park will be performed by the Dean of York, the Very Revd Dominic Barrington, who will bless the park and cut a ribbon to welcome back the public to the area for the first time since it closed in September 2022.
Once an uninspiring area of turf, College Green has been transformed, thanks to close working partnership between the Minster’s Project Manager and the team at York BID, who had a shared ambition to enhance green space in the city. Local company PWP Design has created an open and welcoming design with hard landscaping elements including new seating, low-level play features for families and fully accessible paths.
The apex of the cathedral’s Great East Window was the inspiration for the design of the new stone bench at the centre of the park. All of the trees, shrubs and flowers have been specifically selected to attract pollinators, wildlife and for their sensory and well-being properties. Grass and wildflower turf will provide colour and scent throughout the spring and summer.
The Dean of York said: “This new public space is the result of excellent partnership working with the Chapter of York, York Minster Fund, Friends of York Minster, York BID and Make it York. I am grateful to York BID who in addition to committing their own funds to the project, also secured a grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in 2019. A legacy given to the Friends of York Minster by Terry Fowler, a long time active member, funded the creation of the stone bench and the wonderful grass and wildflower turf has been provided by local company Lindum. I commend the creativity of PWP Design for their outstanding design and landscaping work.
Dominic continued: “This spectacular makeover has transformed College Green. Through the delivery of our Neighbourhood Plan, our goal is to increase public access to green space with increased planting and seating throughout the Precinct. This new space is welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors and we hope will attract the wildlife and pollinators that are crucial for restoring biodiversity in the Precinct. It will be fascinating to observe the park as it changes through the seasons and as it matures in coming years.”
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of York BID said: “Having green space in the city is important as it encourages local people in particular to stay and dwell, which in turn supports business. The area has been designed to be as inclusive as possible, with improved wheelchair access, improved seating and the addition of stepping stone features for children to play on. We are confident it will be popular with families for years to come.”
York Minster makes the UK’s Top 50 Visitor Attractions list for 2022
York Minster was one of the 50 most popular visitor attractions in the UK in 2022 according to figures released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) today (Friday 17 March).
Last year, York Minster welcomed 620,591 visitors for worship and tourism, an increase of 133% on 2021 (266,183) and not far short of the cathedral’s record visitor number of 706,484 in 2019. The increase helped the cathedral to rise from 80th to 49th position in ALVA’s listing.
Barbara George, Director of Visitor Experience at York Minster said: “This is great news for the team at York Minster and a tribute to their energy, resilience and commitment after a tough couple of years. Great hospitality is at the heart of everything we do and it is reassuring that so many people made the journey to York to visit the Minster last year. We will continue to work hard to deliver a world-class welcome for all of our visitors.”
York Minster is preparing for another busy year. The Royal Maundy Service will take place at the cathedral on Thursday 6 April in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort. The cathedral’s programme for 2023 includes a summer recital series and a children’s concert featuring the recently restored Grand Organ, an updated exhibition Majesty: Monarchy & York Minster celebrating the Coronation and a Christmas tree festival in December. Visitors are also invited to join daily worship and to complete their day with an Evensong service in the Minster’s Quire. Evensong is the most popular service of the day, an opportunity for prayer and reflection and to experience superb English Choral Music performed by the internationally renowned Choir of York Minster.
Solar panel approval for pioneering York Minster
Plans to install photovoltaic panels on the roof of York Minster have been approved by City of York Council (CoYC) and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.
This important decarbonisation project forms part of the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan and is one of a number of sustainability projects taking place across the Precinct.
As the pioneering example of a heritage estate using a Neighbourhood Plan to map out its future, it seeks to safeguard the Minster for generations to come through a commitment to sustainability, biodiversity and wellbeing.
The 199 panels will be placed on the roof of the South Quire Aisle, originally dating from 1361, and will enable the Minster to generate 75,000 kilowatt-hours of power annually.
As well as contributing to meeting daytime power demand, surplus power generated by the panels will be stored in underground batteries and used to power the cathedral’s evening services and events.
There will also be a panel installed within the Minster itself displaying its energy production and carbon savings as it seeks to promote the importance of decarbonisation to the thousands of local, national and international visitors that appreciate York Minster.
The Dean of York, the Very Revd Dominic Barrington, said: “The Church of England has pledged to be net zero by 2030 and we are proud to be playing a significant role in not only helping to achieve this vision, but also inspiring other cathedrals to follow suit. We are incredibly pleased that City of York Council has recognised the importance of this intervention not just for the Minster, but for the wider city.
“We have consulted extensively with key stakeholders including Historic England and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England to ensure that the panels are sensitive to the Precinct’s historic architecture and wish to express our gratitude for their continued support up to this point.”
Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, said: “Through our adopted Neighbourhood Plan, we are committed to being an exemplar for the city and further afield. Our aim is to inspire individuals and other organisations to implement their own small changes to contribute to national and international efforts.
“The exceptional architectural and cultural value of the Minster underpins the international reputation of York as a city, which is why we are so committed to delivering important decarbonisation projects such as this one, in turn setting a leading example for other heritage institutions to follow.
“We thank City of York Council, Historic England, and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England for their partnership working in helping to deliver these ambitions as we all find our way to address the climate emergency, which is currently the greatest threat to the fabric of our historic Minster.”
For more information about the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan, visit: https://yorkminster.org/about-us/master-planning/.
Exhibition showcases royal treasures from York Minster’s historic collections to celebrate the Coronation
York Minster is celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III through an updated exhibition showcasing royal treasures from the cathedral’s historic collection that mark a centuries-old relationship with the monarchy.
The exhibition, which will open on Saturday 25 March, traces the influence of the monarchy and the significance of coronations throughout York Minster’s history. From the humble baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria on Easter Day in 627 AD in a small wooden church built hastily for the service – the first York Minster – to HM King Charles III’s poignant return to the cathedral in November 2022 to unveil a statue of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. These royal events have shaped life and worship at York Minster over the centuries.
Running until 1 October 2023, the exhibition – Majesty: Monarchy and York Minster – will be located in the cathedral’s Treasury and features some items never before seen on public display.
Visitors can see a Bible and matching Prayer Book, bound in red velvet and finely decorated in silver with the keys of St Peter, purchased York Minster with a grant from King Charles I in 1633, a Minster Police truncheon with royal arms, Maundy Money distributed by Queen Elizabeth II during her last visit to York Minster in 2012 and the Great Seal of Queen Anne used to authenticate important documents.
Other highlights include the ancient ‘coronation chair’, once believed to have been used in the coronation of Anglo-Saxon kings and more recently in the enthronement of the Archbishops of York, which was carried ablaze from York Minster following a fire in 1829, Chinese silk gifted to Queen Victoria on her wedding day which has been transformed into burses and veils used in preparation for the celebration of Holy Communion, and a Victorian fire bucket with a royal crest. The brilliantly coloured cope worn by Thomas Secker, Archbishop of Canterbury, to officiate at George III’s coronation draws the eye.
The exhibition showcases the range of York Minster’s nationally important collections, with a focus on local connections. From the script of the 1909 York Pageant, to the Yorkshire Post Coronation Supplement for King George VI and a specially bound copy of the BBC publication ‘The Year that Made the Day: how the BBC planned and prepared the Coronation day broadcasts’ presented to the Archbishop of York, Cyril Garbett, to mark his role in the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, it offers insights into the royal history of York Minster.
York Minster is renowned for its choir and music, and on display will be Handel’s Celebrated Coronation Anthems in score, for voice and instruments. These include Zadok the Priest, composed for the coronation of George II in 1727 and performed at every British coronation since.
Visitors can also try on regal robes, bear a crown and sceptre, and pose for a majestic photograph showing off their best royal wave with a soft-toy corgi, before adding their wishes for the Coronation year to a special crown-shaped tag.
Helen Rawson, Head of Collections and Interpretation at York Minster, explains: “The Coronation provides a splendid opportunity to showcase York Minster’s fascinating collections with royal associations, some held in the cathedral for centuries. From music and celebration to emblems of regal power and authority, gorgeous textiles and stunning silver, the exhibition is a visual and sensory extravaganza.”
The exhibition will be open from Saturday 25 March during normal visiting times until Sunday 1 October. Entry is included with a standard admission ticket and entry to York Minster is free for York residents with valid proof of address.
Events and services at York Minster for World Autism Acceptance Week
An exciting programme of events for World Autism Acceptance Week will take place at York Minster from Wednesday 29 March until Sunday 2 April. The theme for this year’s activities is ‘Spectrum Colour’.
Activities and events at the cathedral will focus on the needs of people living with neurodiverse and sensory conditions. Capacity inside the cathedral will be reduced at key times during the week to create a ‘Mindful Minster’ – a peaceful and calm visiting environment for people with these conditions.
York Minster’s five day programme includes creative art workshops, storytelling, dance, drama, singing and mindfulness sessions. The medieval Chapter House will be the venue for a sound installation on Saturday 1 April where visitors will be able to experience the waves of a sound bath. The cathedral will also trial British Sign Language Interpretation at two services of Choral Evensong during the week.
Hannah Parker, Head of Visitor Experience and Chair of York Minster’s Inclusivity and Accessibility committee, said: “York Minster is pleased to be participating in World Autism Acceptance Week for the first time. We have worked with local partners to design an inclusive and accessible programme of activities and events for people living with neurodiverse conditions. To make this happen, we will reduce visitor numbers so there will be fewer people in the cathedral to create ‘relaxed hours’ – quiet times when noise in the Minster will be minimised to avoid sensory overload which can be disturbing and overwhelming for people living with these conditions.
“A big part of our mission at York Minster is to include, engage and inspire the people we welcome. By participating in Autism Acceptance Week we hope to provide a welcoming and inclusive space in the city and York Minster is proud to support that vision.”
For full details of York Minster’s programme for Autism Acceptance Week, see below or go to: www.yorkminster.org.
Mindful Minster
Wednesday 29 March, Thursday 30 March & Friday 31 March,
9.30am – 11.30am & 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Come and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and explore the building’s magnificent architecture, or simply take some time-out from busy, daily life with Mindful Minster. During these ‘Relaxed Hours’, visitor capacity will be reduced, with noise and light levels lowered so those with neurodiverse conditions can explore comfortably, away from the hustle and bustle of the general public.
Free with General Admission.
Choral Evensong with British Sign Language interpretation
Wednesday 29 March, 5.30pm & Sunday 2 April, 4.00pm
Two services of Choral Evensong will include British Sign Language interpretation to allow those with hearing impairments to join York Minster’s worship.
No booking required. The service on Sunday 2 April will also be livestreamed via our YouTube channel.
Hands Together: Creative arts for Mindfulness
Thursday 30 March, 9.30am – 11.30am & 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Be inspired by space, colour and light in York Minster’s Chapter House and create and decorate hands with York-based visual artist and writer Griselda Goldsbrough.
Free with General Admission.
Sensory Stories and Singalong
Friday 31 March, 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Visitors can experience York Minster’s medieval Chapter House draped in colourful fabric as they are immersed in story-telling and music. There will also be a chance to join a family singalong.
Tickets cost £2.50 per person, with a group ticket available for four people priced at £8.00.
Sensory Saturday
Saturday 1 April, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Discover the cathedral through singing, acting and storytelling. Families can explore a sound installation in the medieval Chapter House as they are bathed in the waves of a sound bath. Throughout the day, interactive sessions will take place, with dance and sensory music making in the Chapter House, and storytelling in St Stephen’s Chapel.
Free with General Admission.
Yorkits Workshop returns to York Minster to mark International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day at York Minster, will be marked by the annual Yorkits Workshop where teams of volunteers make washable, re-usable feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries. The 2023 event will be held on Wednesday 8 March.
Run by Rotary York Ainsty, Yorkits is a hands-on community project bringing women and girls from York and the region together, to make feminine hygiene kits which change the lives of young girls by keeping them in education during their menstruation.
Yorkits has devised a practical, low cost, re-usable and eco-friendly solution to this problem – using brightly patterned cottons to make 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 items to be washed easily – particularly important in areas where clean water is scarce – plus a waterproof carry bag for soiled items. The kits are then taken by volunteers to overseas projects run by Rotary, churches and other voluntary organisations.
Yorkits Organiser Janice Lawson said: “Yorkits have been sending feminine hygiene kits to girls in developing countries for ten years now. Each kit allows a girl to go to school when she is having her period, rather than be isolated at home, missing education and being vulnerable to abuse. A kit should last a girl for 3 years – equal to 200 days of schooling not missed.
We are pleased to be back at the Minster for the eighth time – it gives us a big boost to our kit making. We completed 70 kits at last year’s Minster event – that’s equal to 14,000 days of schooling.”
This year’s annual Yorkits Workshop will take place on Wednesday 8 March at York Minster. There will be two sessions: 10am until 12.30pm and 1.30 until 4pm. All materials and equipment will be provided and refreshments will be available.
Places at the workshops are limited and free tickets need to be booked in advance. Tickets are available by calling 01904 557200 or by going to Yorkits – York Minster
Please note: there is a suggested donation of £3.00, payable on the day, to cover the costs of materials and to help towards seed-funding community self-help groups overseas to make kits out of local materials.
York Minster vigil to mark the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine
A short vigil will be held in York Minster on Friday 24 February to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.
Organised in partnership with local charity York City of Sanctuary, the vigil will include readings, prayers, music and reflections from the Ukrainian Community in York as we continue to hold in our hearts the suffering of all those affected by the war.
Commenting on the vigil, the Revd Canon Maggie McLean, York Minster’s Canon Missioner said: “The war is a tragedy for the people of Ukraine, for Europe and for Russia. We will hold this vigil and pray for the end of this terrible conflict. We must also hold onto the hope that the people of Ukraine will experience peace and safety in their country in the near future.”
The vigil for Ukraine will take place in the cathedral’s nave on Friday 24 February starting at 12 noon and will last around an hour.
Lent, Holy Week and Easter at York Minster
York Minster today announced its services and events for Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2023.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday (22 February), Christians across the world will keep a season of penitence culminating in the observance of Holy Week. This week recalls with the passion, crucifixion and burial of Jesus, and on Easter Day, the joyful celebration of his resurrection from the dead.
Maundy Thursday (6 April), will mark an historic occasion in the life of the cathedral. His Majesty King Charles III, accompanied by Her Majesty The Queen Consort, will visit York Minster for the first Royal Maundy Service of The King’s reign.
The Dean of York, the Very Revd Dominic Barrington will lead the cathedral’s Lent, Holy Week and Easter Services for the first time. During Holy Week, he will preach a series of themed sermons entitled ‘The Last Word’.
Dominic said: “The journey of Lent and Holy Week is the greatest drama of the Christian year. Jesus’ journey to the Cross is relentless and tough. It is a mixture of friendship and betrayal, fear and forgiveness, culminating in the ultimate climax of death and resurrection.”
“We hope that people of all faiths and none, people with questions and people curious about Jesus’ story will come to York Minster to share in this great story and learn more of the depth of God’s love.”
Full details of key events and services are below or can be found here.
The arrival of the Lent Cross – Tuesday 21 February
The Lent Cross, the central symbol of the Christian Faith, will be suspended from the Central Tower.
Ash Wednesday – Wednesday 22 February
Lent, Holy Week and Easter lie at the heart of the Christian faith. Come and share this time together as our vast sacred spaces are brought to life with the glory of seasonal worship and music.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent – a season of reflection, penitence and fasting, and of preparation for Easter. The Imposition of Ashes will take place during our services of Holy Communion – the ashes are blessed and the sign of the cross is made, in ash, on the forehead of worshippers.
Ash is a sign of mortality – a reminder that we shall all die. The sign of the cross reminds us of Jesus’ death – which was followed by his being raised to new life. Ash Wednesday reminds us that through ‘dying’ to all that is self-centred in our lives, we may, through faith in Jesus, share in the fullness of life he came to bring.
The Minster will be open for prayer and worship only on that day. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own or to experience the space.
Service times and Imposition of Ashes:
- 7.30am: Matins
- 7.50am: Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
- 12noon: Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
- 4.00pm: Evening Prayer (Said)
- 5.30pm: Choral Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes (with Allegri’s Miserere)
Stations of the Cross – Wednesday 25 March until Sunday 16 April
7.00am – 7.00pm
The Stations of the Cross originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, tracing the path from Pilate’s house to Calvary. They would pause for prayer and devotion at various points. Eventually those pilgrims brought the practice back to their home countries and ever since, Christians of differing traditions have used this form of devotion.
This year pilgrims will be able to journey around seven stations in Dean’s Park, featuring artwork by local school children and material to encourage reflection and prayer. A final station will be placed inside the Minster on Easter Day, Sunday 9 April.
The stations will be available for people to explore each day from Wednesday 25 March, to Sunday 16 April in Dean’s Park, which lies to the north of the cathedral and is open daily from 7.00am to 7.00pm.
Lent Sermon Series
Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through the Sundays in Lent, we explore the themes developed by the Archbishop of York in his Lent Course during the York Minster’s 11.00am Sunday Sung Eucharist.
At 12.30pm, following the Eucharist, there will be an opportunity to discuss the Lenten sermon theme over light-lunch with the preacher of the day and the Minster’s Canon Missioner. All are welcome. For more details contact: nextsteps@yorkminster.org
The sermon themes will be:
22 February, Ash Wednesday – Prayer
26 February, First Sunday in Lent – Worship
5 March, Second Sunday in Lent – Love
12 March, Third Sunday in Lent – Generosity
19 March, Fourth Sunday in Lent – Witness
26 March, Fifth Sunday in Lent – Rest.
York Minster’s Sunday Worship during Lent (starting Sunday 26 February)
All are welcome to join York Minster’s Sunday worship, which will follow this pattern:
8.00am – Holy Communion Book of Common Prayer
A quiet and contemplative service of Holy Communion in the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer.
10.00am – Choral Matins
The Choir of York Minster will lead this traditional contemplative service of Choral Matins with canticles, psalms, readings, and State Prayers.
11.00am – Sung Eucharist
The Choir of York Minster will sing at this service of congregational hymns, readings and a sermon on the themes listed above.
These services are also livestreamed.
4.00pm – Choral Evensong
Choral evensong is sung each Sunday by the Choir of York Minster as we continue our journey through the holy season of Lent. With music, readings and a sermon exploring Lenten themes.
These services are also livestreamed.
Lent Compline with Meditation – Thursdays (from 23 February until 30 March)
8.30pm – 9.10pm
A meditative service of candle-lit Compline or ‘night prayer’ sung by the Ebor Singers in the Quire of York Minster with traditional prayers, beautiful music and silence. During these services of shadows and light, the Choir will sing excerpts from Tomas Luis de Victoria’s Tenebrae Responsories, a cycle of 18 pieces that trace the Passion story, originally included in the Holy Week service of Tenebrae at which the candles of the church were successfully extinguished.
Each service will include a short meditation on one of six ‘habits of Christlikeness’ connecting to the newly formed Diocesan Rhythm of life and the Archbishop of York’s Lent Course.
Compline will take place every Thursday at 8.30pm, no booking is required. The dates are:
- Thursday 23 February – Prayer
- Thursday 2 March – Worship
- Thursday 9 March – Love
- Thursday 16 March – Generosity
- Thursday 23 March – Witness
- Thursday 30 March – Rest.
Handel’s Messiah – Saturday 25 March
Performed by the Choir of York Minster, 7.00pm, Nave.
For the first time since 2019, the Choir of York Minster will be joined by internationally renowned soloists for a performance of Handel’s Messiah in the spectacular setting of the cathedral’s Nave.
It will be the first time the choir has performed the popular oratorio since December 2019, and the first time in recent years that they have staged the moving and poignant choral performance, which tells the story of Christ, during the season of Lent and Easter.
Holy Week at York Minster
Holy Week sermon series from the Dean of York
The Very Revd. Dominic Barrington, Dean of York will preach throughout Holy Week, offering a series of sermons entitled The Last Word.
The sermons will be given at the following services:
Procession and Eucharist for Palm Sunday, Sunday 2 April, 10.30am
Compline, Monday 3 April and Tuesday 4 April, 7.30pm
Holy Communion, Wednesday 5 April, 12noon
Eucharist of the Last Supper, Thursday 6 April, 7.00pm
The Three Hours’ Devotion and Liturgy of Good Friday, Friday 7 April at 1.30pm
The Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, Saturday 8 April, 8.00pm
Palm Sunday, Sunday 2 April
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter Day. On this day we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
10.30am: Procession and Eucharist for Palm Sunday
The service will begin outside the Minster on the South Piazza when a procession led by a donkey leads the congregation into the cathedral via the West End. The Eucharist will include the Passion Gospel, sung by the Choir of York Minster, and the blessing of palm crosses, as a reminder of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and what would come afterwards. This service turns from triumph to sorrow, marking the beginning of Jesus’ journey towards the cross.
Part of this service will also be livestreamed from inside the Minster.
4.00pm: Choral Evensong
A service of Choral Evensong which prepares us for our walk with Christ through Holy Week.
This service will also be livestreamed.
7.30pm: Stainer’s Crucifixion
The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster, will perform John Stainer’s Crucifixion. The work incorporates congregational hymns with a recounting of the passion of Christ.
Choral Evensong – sung daily during Holy Week by the Choir of York Minster.
Compline in Holy Week, Monday 3 April and Tuesday 4 April
7.30pm – 8.30pm
This beautiful candlelit service of night prayer or ‘compline’ will be sung by The Ebor Singers, with Holy Week Addresses given by the Dean of York. The service is a form of prayer said at the completion of the day, and traditionally after this service we are encouraged to enter into a period of silence. On Monday, the choir will sing J. S. Bach’s motet Jesu meine freude, with its commentary on Jesus Christ freeing man from sin and death. Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s vivid depiction of St Peter’s three-time denial of Jesus in his oratorio Le Reniement de St Pierre, can be heard on Tuesday.
Chrism Eucharist, Tuesday 4 April
11.00am
The Chrism Eucharist takes its name from Chrismation (anointing). The Archbishop of York will preach and will bless three oils for baptism, confirmation, and healing. The Archbishop will gather clergy from around the Diocese to renew the vows made at their ordinations, remembering the ministry to which they are called.
This service will also be livestreamed.
York Minster will be open for services only on this day.
The Royal Maundy Service, Thursday 6 April
The first Royal Maundy Service in the reign of His Majesty King Charles III, will take place at York Minster starting at 11am. Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus Christ washing the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper. The service is rooted in the ancient history and traditions of the church. Sovereigns throughout the centuries have imitated Jesus’ actions, first through washing the feet of beggars and then through history, evolving into the giving of a small gift of coins.
74 men and 74 women (signifying the age of the Monarch) selected from Church of England dioceses across the country, will receive the Maundy gift from The King, to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities.
5.30pm: Choral Evensong
7.00pm: Eucharist of the Last Supper
The Eucharist of the Last Supper recalls the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room, before his arrest and trial. We remember that Jesus called us to love and serve one another through the washing of feet. As we bless bread and wine, we follow his command to proclaim his death until he comes in glory. The Dean of York will preach at this service.
8.30pm: The Watch
The Watch will follow the Eucharist of the last Supper. The Watch – a type of vigil – recalls the time Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest, trial and crucifixion.
Good Friday, Friday 7 April
On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus.
York Minster will be given to prayer and worship only on this day. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own.
12noon – The Three Hours’ Devotion with the Liturgy of Good Friday
We begin the Three Hours’ Devotion with a service of meditation, music and prayers with periods of silence and addresses given by the Holy Week Preacher. At 1.30pm, the formal Liturgy of Good Friday will commence with a sung passion, veneration of the cross and a sermon by the Dean of York.
This service will be livestreamed at 12noon and 1.00pm.
5.30pm – Choral Evensong for Good Friday
The Choir of York Minster will sing including Antonio Lotti’s anthem for 8 voices, Crucifixus etiam pro nobis, a traditional Lenten piece.
Saturday Mornings at York Minster, Saturday 8 April, 10.00am
Join our sessions for families – Saturday Mornings at York Minster – and get hands on creating and blessing York Minster’s Easter Garden as part of the cathedral’s activity to mark Holy Saturday. The session will also include a fun and interactive short service exploring the Easter story.
The Saturday Mornings at York Minster sessions run throughout the year and explore the seasons in the Christian calendar, with different interactive opportunities each time including craft workshops, sensory activities, music and worship.
Families are invited to come at any time during the free 45 minute event, which starts at 10.00am, and stay for as long or as little as they like.
Future dates for 2023 include:
Saturday 27 May – Pentecost
Saturday 9 September – Harvest/ Creationtide
Saturday 11 November – Remembering
Saturday 2 December – Advent and Christmas
Easter Eve, The Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter,
Saturday 8 April, 8.00pm
This Eucharist moves from darkness to light. We recall God’s saving actions through time, culminating in the Resurrection in the light of the first Easter Day.
The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. During this service a number of candidates will reaffirm their faith through confirmation. The Archbishop of York will preside and the Dean of York will preach at this service which will be sung by the St William’s Singers.
Easter Day, Sunday 9 April
On Easter Day, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.
8.00am: Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer
A simple said service in the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer.
10.00am: Choral Matins on Easter Day
Following the pattern of Matins from the Book of Common Prayer, with sung psalms, canticles and an anthem.
11.00am: Festal Eucharist on Easter Day
We greet the risen Lord with joy, proclaiming Alleluia, Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! The Archbishop of York will preach and preside.
This service will also be livestreamed.
4.00pm: Festal Evensong
A great day of rejoicing culminates in an uplifting service of Choral Evensong. The preacher will be the Dean of York.
This service will also be livestreamed.