York Minster

Archbishop welcomes new Readers to serve in York Diocese at Minster Service

Published Monday 10th November 2008 by the Grace of God

[photo opportunity]

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will admit twelve people to serve as Readers at churches in the Diocese of York at a service beginning at 11.00am in York Minster on Saturday 15th November 2008.

Those lay people selected for Reader training undertake a course of study in the Scriptures and aspects of Christian ministry, and are licensed to serve in one or more parishes where they support the work of the clergy in many capacities. Readers may preach, lead prayers and worship, and are frequently involved in leadership and ministry in many aspects of parish life.

The Diocese of York, which includes 600 local churches between the Humber and the Tees and from the A1 eastwards to the Yorkshire coast, is served by about 300 Readers, and the annual Reader service in York Minster is a celebration of the enormous contribution they make to the Church and to the communities in which they minister.

Those to be newly admitted as Readers are as follows, with the parishes in which they will serve:

Margaret Barr Monk Fryston and South Milford (near Selby)

Bernadette Burbridge St Michael-le-Belfrey and St Lawrence, York

Richard Byas Dringhouses, York

Dianne Colbert Eston with Normanby (Middlesbrough)

David Heading Ingleby Greenhow, Bilsdale Priory and Kildale with Kirkby-in-Cleveland

Janet (Jenny) Howarth Forest of Galtres (parishes near Easingwold)

Janice Midwood Derwent Deanery (parishes between York and Selby)

Philip Newell Scalby (Scarborough)

Elizabeth Pacey Drypool (Hull)

Jane Perkins Kirk Fenton with Kirkby Wharfe and Ulleskelf (near Tadcaster)

Jason Robinson Eston with Normanby (Middlesbrough)

Gwyneth Southall Hutton Cranswick with Skerne, Watton and Beswick (East Riding)

Additionally, the Archbishop will licence the following seven Readers who have recently moved from other dioceses to serve in the Diocese of York:

Sandra Archer Derwent Deanery (parishes between York and Selby)

Janice Hutchinson St Luke the Evangelist, York

Frances Lewis Whitby

Margaret Pay Woldsburn (parishes near Driffield)

Stephen Pay Woldsburn (parishes near Driffield)

Wendy Plant Selby Deanery

Jennifer Skedd Pocklington Group

The Archbishop will confer the title Reader Emeritus on two long-serving Readers:

Don Elcoat St John Newland, Hull

Richard Brooks Barlby and Riccall (near Selby)

Photo opportunity: the Archbishop and the newly admitted and licenced Readers will emerge through the Minster's West Doors (at the end of Duncombe Place) at the end of the service at approximately 12.30pm and will be available for group photographs for approximately two minutes.

ENDS

For further information contact Martin Sheppard, York Minster Marketing and Events Manager, on 01904 557248 or 07531 546532. martins@yorkminster.org