SYNOD REPORTS 2014

The Archbishop’s Mission Fund

The Archbishop’s Mission Fund (the Fund) exists to fund new ideas and initiatives for mission in parishes and deaneries.

During 2014 18 grants (set out below) were approved supporting some of the excellent and imaginative ways of spreading the Gospel which are being undertaken across the Diocese.

In 2014 as well as continuing to support some familiar projects such as Messy Church in new locations in the diocese, the Fund also supported some innovative projects.

The City Centre Churches in have worked with the Centre for Christianity and Culture at York University to develop a mobile phone app which can be used to help visitors and congregation members better access information about the churches – transforming the way that users relate to the churches. The grant from the Fund allowed for specific plug ins to be developed for each church.

Churches Together in Southern Ryedale have come together to respond to the needs of the local horse racing community. Inspired by the successful model of chaplaincy that is already in place in Newmarket, they hope to replicate this in North Yorkshire with work initially being based in Malton. The grant from the Fund facilitated training and publicity for the initiative as well as membership of Sports Chaplaincy UK.

Continuing the trend seen in recent years, a low number of qualifying applications meant that not all available funding was allocated in 2014. There is £30,000 available for allocation in 2015. Applications are encouraged and can be made by completing the application form which is available on the diocese’s website at http://dioceseofyork.org.uk/supporting- parishes/money-and-giving/funding-from-the-diocese/ and sending it to your Suffragan Bishop. Applications from York Deanery should be sent directly to the Archbishop.

Grant applications are considered electronically (if they are urgent) or at a meeting by a small advisory group with representation from each archdeaconry. Once the advisers have made a recommendation, the final decision on each grant remains with the Archbishop.

Applicants are encouraged to ensure align their project to the five marks of growing which underpin Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples:

• Christ-likeness • Influence • Partnership • Commitment • Numbers

Catherine Evans, Secretary to the Fund

GRANT APPLICANT PURPOSE £ Love Norton 14 A year of mission in Norton 1,000 York City Centre Churches Mobile Phone App 2,000 Holy Trinity North Ormesby Families Drop In 1,650 Roos - All Saints and CofE Primary Bells Project – School/Church 618 School Partnership Middlesbrough St Oswald, St Chad Genesis Youth Project Family Break 1,630 and St Agnes Waggoners Community Singers To develop a community choir linking 1,500 villages, churches and community groups Christ Church Bridlington - 12 Step Programme 985 Lighthouse Church and 12 Steps Southern Ryedale Deanery Chaplaincy to Horse Racing 1,000 Community in Ryedale St Peter Redcar Luncheon Club 500 St John's Bransholme Little Fishes/Messy Church 1,000 Emmanuel, Saltburn by the Sea RE:CREATE and RE:NEW 250 St Mark's, West Hill Bridlington Riding Lights; Christmas Cracker 350

All Saints Cawood Messy church 415 Roger Simpson - Archbishop's Additional support for Roger’s work 2,500 Evangelist York City Centre Churches PA Equipment 750 St James' Scarborough Messy church 1,000 St Oswald's Sowerby * Rebuild Mexico 1,600 TOTAL GRANTS APPROVED 18,748

Note: * Grant approved in 2014 and paid in 2015 Children and Youth

The purpose of our work as advisers is primarily to support, advise, enable, empower, engage and resource the diocese, bishops, clergy, parishes, leaders, children, young people and their families in a wide range of issues and activities pertaining to the Church’s mission and ministry among children and young people. To enable this, the team continues to work with and develop ‘Fully Alive in God' which, as a commitment to children and young people was adopted at Diocesan Synod in 2009.

FAiG in not a programme of activity, it is a framework that provides a strategic means to review the ministry and cultural mind-set of the church toward young people. It provides a possible overview by which we (from parish to diocese) can measure what we do and how we do it. The framework challenges both church and diocese to take a holistic approach to our mission toward and with young people.

Instead of focussing energy on providing activity with an emphasis on teaching, we aim to encourage a sense of accompanying, building relationship and fellowship. Fully Alive in God can help identify where and how young people are enabled to encounter God, how they can build on that encounter, commit to Christ and ultimately to grow as disciples in the service of God. Young people are disciples in training, not disciples in waiting! The 5 focus areas of FAiG challenge us all through questions (of diocese, church, leaders and the young people) to consider and reflect on where and how we specifically enable children and young people to:

• Experience God • Develop a relationship with God • Help further God’s Kingdom • Care for God’s Creation • Value and be valued by the Church

The FAiG leaflet and other materials are available on the diocesan website.

The ‘Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples’ challenges the church to be strategic in using the 5 marks of growing, namely • growing in Christ-likeness • growing in influence • growing in partnership • growing in numbers • growing in commitment

The Children and Youth Work team has put together some training material that parallels the 5 Marks of Growing Study Course. This is also available on the diocesan web site.

How are the two ‘frameworks’ working together? By offering children and young people opportunities set out in FAIG (left column) we can cross reference with the 5 marks of growing (top blue row) to see what outcomes () might develop. It could be argued

1 | that both FAiG and Marks of Growing impact each other in every area, indeed there is considerable overlap. However, as a generalised view it is possible to see that in developing work that for instance offers opportunities to Experience God, then we may also be helping young people to grow in Commitment and we might also expect there to be some growth in Numbers.

then the parish is more likely to see growth among CYP in the following If a parish is giving mark: CYP the opportunity to: Christlikeness Commitment Partnership Influence Numbers

Experience God  

Develop a    Relationship with God

Help Further God’s      Kingdom

Care for God’s      creation

Be Valued by and     Value the Church

Similarly, if a parish wants to see a particular ‘Mark’ emerging, then it should consider what opportunities are being offered that potentially develop that mark. So if a parish wants to help young people to be ‘Growing in Christlikeness’ it may be that strategically the parish should invest time and effort in the areas of Developing a Relationship with God, Helping to further God’s Kingdom, and to engage them in Caring for God’s Creation. If a church wants to see Commitment develop then there is work to be considered in all areas of FAiG, although it may also serve them in recognising weaknesses in what they are providing. E.g. they may want to develop how they value young people.

CandY Team and Generous Churches. (A brief synopsis)

Growing in Christ-likeness: Fully Alive in God endeavours to ask questions of ourselves and our ministry in order to consider how we and young people are able to meet with and be transformed by Christ in order to become Christ-like. It asks questions such as how young people are encouraged to worship in ways appropriate to their age and experience, how they are being empowered to live Christ-like lives in the community, and how they are engaged in developing the church today. To this end we offer a wide range of support for clergy and leaders as well as for young people through: • Quality events such as – BNO, XL & XLS, The Big Feast, SPREE etc • Training events and programmes – □ Treasure □ Recognised Parish Assistants □ Faith in Young People training days, □ Resource days etc. • Retreats – □ Youth Worker retreat Days □ Ngage weekend • Disseminate masses of information on materials, programmes, curriculums, training events, camps and house-parties, annual national events and retreats.

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• Diocesan residential weekends for young people.

Growing in Commitment: Our commitment is to take children and young people seriously remembering that we are all called to be followers of Christ and together we are the Church. We want parishes to welcome, value and appreciate young people, provide safe space for them and have appropriate provision to grow in faith as well as to become committed Disciples of Christ for themselves and be active members of a church community.

Therefore we offer support and encouragement to help churches consider all that they are doing whether in church or as part of other activities in their community such schools work. We endeavour to help resource clergy, PCC’s, and leaders to • engage with current youth culture, good practice and legislation • develop nurture groups, Baptism and Confirmation policies and courses • consider and be informed on many issues from Communion before Confirmation, to Risk Assessments, safeguarding policy and safe spaces • resource residential events and inform about a wide range of local and national activities • engage with deanery and diocesan events as well as other activities

While not directly involved in regular youth work ourselves, much of what we do and many of the events we offer are geared to inspire and facilitate leaders to provide space and activities that encourage commitment.

Growing in partnership The team has a long tradition of working with parishes and other organisations in the delivery of a various activities from training events for leaders to events for young people, examples of which are: • Big Night Out (Partners with Urban Saints, Boys and Girls Brigade, Dioceses of West Yorkshire and the Dales) • ‘Faith in Young People’, a consortium of youth work advisers from all the major denominations in Yorkshire, delivering training events for denominational leaders, church leaders and youth work leaders • SPREE NE organised by Urban Saints • Developing Deanery events programme • Networking parishes and individual leaders • Networking leaders with national organisations /events (Greenbelt, Walsingham, Taize Soul Survivor etc).

Growing in influence The team wherever practical and possible work with others to influence change both in the church and the local community. We want church to be a better place for young people. To this end we have help to market many initiatives, resources, programmes etc . As diocesan officers we have a certain amount of influence that can be used to feed into parishes and into diocesan structures. We are also involved in meeting together with local authority and voluntary sector organisations working with young people. Use of social media, regular newsletters and the email network are also used to share information, network leaders and resource them. We are also involved in national networks for Children’s and Youth Work Advisors which also serves to enable and inform us in our work.

We also acknowledge and endeavour to encourage parishes to enable young people to participate fully in the whole life of the church, as well as in their schools and communities or working for the common good further afield. While we do not offer any diocesan initiatives, examples of supporting this work include

3 | building projects in Africa and Mexico, local community projects, speaking out on issues such as drug abuse etc. Sharing ideas, giving young people a voice to share their stories and networking people to encouraged others. The team is often a conduit for sharing these stories.

Growing in numbers We endeavour to put on quality diocesan events and we support a variety initiatives for young people and their families, from Messy Church to XL-C in Palace. We also encourage attendance at national festivals, pilgrimages, residential events etc some examples include: • BNO, XLS & XL-C • SPREE NE, Girls Weekend and many other residential events • Deanery events to engage with and encourage young people.

Nigel Chapman, Jon Steel, Jo and Andy Bowden

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Closed Churches Working Group

This has been another challenging year for the Closed Churches Working Group, with some positive outcomes and some continuing frustrations. The Group is not involved in decisions as to whether churches should close or not, but has as its remit the search for an appropriate use for those buildings which, whilst no longer needed for active worship, still provide powerful reminders of their former use.

Such buildings often bring with them particular problems, such as poor structural condition or difficult access and alternative uses are usually limited. The Group works hard however to find solutions which will respect these buildings and to avoid as far as possible the last alternative under the Mission and Pastoral Measure, of demolition.

The Group is conscious that the decision to close a church is not taken easily and that it can be painful when buildings remain empty during a prolonged use seeking period. Happily though in the majority of cases alternative uses are found and these buildings can continue to be used and cared for in the community.

I should like to thank the staff in the pastoral team at the Diocesan Office, together with the DBF Solicitor, the Diocesan Surveyor and the Furnishings Officer for their continued hard work and commitment to guiding these buildings through the legal and other processes necessary to achieve appropriate alternative uses.

+Paul Whitby February 2015

The following items were discussed during the year:

THE ARCHDEACONRY OF CLEVELAND

North Thornaby, St Luke

Several offers were received for the building. The Group reviewed these and recommended the offer received from the Vine Church to the Church Commissioners under the terms of a conditional lease to purchase agreement.

Site of former church of St Thomas, Middlesbrough

No interest was expressed in this land during the year.

THE ARCHDEACONRY OF THE EAST RIDING

Barmby Marsh, St Helen

No viable new use had been found, so the Group considered progressing demolition of the building. The Friends of Friendless Churches subsequently offered to consider taking ownership of the building if a suitable financial arrangment could be agreed. Discussions are continuing.

Foxholes, St Mary

Pre-planning work took place prior to an application for Listed Building Consent for conversion to residential use.

Hull, St Matthew

Several expressions of interest were received in the building but none proved viable. A structural survey of the building was carried out and discussions undertaken concerning the telecomms mast in the tower.

Withernsea, St Nicholas

This church was closed on the 3rd July. A local community group approached the Group with an offer to purchase the building for mixed community use. The offer was provisionally accepted and recommended to the Church Commissioners. A Church Buildings Scheme providing for this alternative use is anticipated.

THE ARCHDEACONRY OF YORK

Barlow Chapel

The offer from a local resident to purchase the building was accepted and a Church Buildings Scheme published. Planning consent for the purchaser’s proposals is awaited.

Kilnwick Percy, St Helen

Listed Building Consent was granted for the removal of the Flemish and other woodcarvings for conservation and protection. Discussions continued with the Buddhist Centre at Kilnwick Percy Hall which resulted in a Church Buildings Scheme providing for a transer to the Centre for storage purposes being published. It is hoped that this alternative use will be achieved during 2015.

Knapton, St Edmund

Discussions continued with the tenants of this leased closed church concerning repair work and the holding of occasional services in the building.

York, St Margaret, Walmgate

A grant was made to the tenants (National Centre for Early Music) to assist with increased insurance costs.

York, St Saviour

The Group was informed by the tenants of some serious structural issues with one of the churchyard walls. The maintenance of the walls is the responsibility of the City of York Council who were informed of the issues and requested to carry out the necessary repairs.

Stutton, St Aidans

The Group was asked to advise on the sale of this unconsecrated closed church building.

Possible Future Closures

The Group was informed of seven cases in which early consideration was being given to possible closure.

OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED BY THE GROUP

The Furnishings Store The Annual Synod report

CLOSED CHURCHES WORKING GROUP MEMBERSHIP

The Venerable (Chair until 5th The Venerable June 2014) The Right Reverend (Chair Mr David Haddon-Reece – Furnishings from 4th September 2014) Officer

Mr Phil Thomas – DAC Secretary and Church Canon Peter Warry – Diocesan Secretary Buildings Officer Mrs Linda Gibbon – Representing the Shirley Davies – Assistant Diocesan Secretary Mission and Pastoral Sub Committee The Reverend Canon Richard Rowling Graham Andrews – Diocesan Surveyor & Acting Estates Manager

The Venerable Peter Harrison Charlotte Lilley-Cook (and Catherine Copp) – Acting Archdeacon of the East Riding (until Pastoral and Closed Churches Officer October 2014) Emma Cosgrif – Church Commissioners (in The Venerable attendance) Archdeacon of the East Riding (from October 2014)

The Venerable Sarah Bullock Archdeacon of York

Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches

Membership

Members of this important Statutory Committee are appointed by the Archbishop’s Council under terms set out in the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991. The composition of the Committee (the DAC) in 2014 was as follows:

Chairman: The Revd Canon D Hodgson Vice-chairman: Mrs S Whittaker (Lay Representative, East Riding) Secretary: Mr P Thomas

The Archdeacon of Cleveland (To June 2014) The Acting Archdeacon of Cleveland (From July 2014) The Archdeacon of the East Riding (From October 2014) The Archdeacon of York Mr R J Carr-Archer (Architect) Mrs J Harding (Nominated by English Heritage) The Revd V Haynes (Clergy Representative, Cleveland) Mr D Lockett (Architect) The Revd R Major (Clergy Representative, East Riding) Mrs L Mayes (Lay Representative, Cleveland) Dr H Mytum (Lay Representative, York. Archaeology Adviser) Mr S Ramsdale (Local Authority representative) The Revd Canon J Weetman (Clergy Representative, York.) Mr D Sherriff (Architect) Dr R Wools (Nominated by the statutory Amenity Societies)

In Attendance: Mr LPM Lennox (Diocesan Registrar. To July 2014) Mrs C Mockford (Diocesan Registrar. From September 2014) Ms D Saville (DAC Administrator. To November 2014) Mrs C Copp (DAC Administrator. From November 2014)

The committee has a number of co-opted expert Advisers in highly specialised fields:

Mr J Arthur (Bells and Bell-frames, Clocks) The Revd P Bristow (Liturgical Re-ordering) The Revd S Deas (Liturgy/iconography. From October 2013) The Revd Dr G Drewery (Reed Organs/Harmoniums) Mr D Evans (Archaeology) Mr R Glister (Heating) Mr D Haddon-Reece (Electrics and Lighting, Redundant Church Furnishings Officer) Mr T Mitchell (Support Advisor, Electrics and Lighting) Mr F Sutcliffe (Organs. To June 2014) Mr P Wildgust (Stained Glass) The Revd Dr J Zarek (Acoustics and Sound)

Vacancies at year end: Organ Advisor Two Diocesan Synod Representatives Textiles and Embroidery Advisor

Role and practice

The Committee is established under statute to offer formal advice to the Chancellor of the Diocese on all petitions to make alterations, repairs and additions to church buildings, their contents, ornaments, churchyards and curtilage structures, other than matters specifically excluded from the need for a faculty. Members and Officers also offer free, expert advice to parishes on a wide range of matters to do with all aspects of church buildings, the care, conservation, repair or re-ordering of their contents and the commissioning of new work in all media. The Committee administers the system of architects approved to carry out Quinquennial Inspections (QIs) within the Diocese, approves their appointment to specific churches, and reviews annually the fees for Inspections. The fee for 2014 was £581.00 (£697.20 with VAT at 20%), an increase of 6% on the previous year. Three new architects applied to join the Approved List in 2014; one was approved with an unusual degree of enthusiasm, whilst two others were rejected but encouraged to re-apply in future. 33 churches received approval to change their Inspecting Architects.

Unfortunately, frequent changes in the membership of PCCs in recent years have made it more difficult to ensure that continuity of care which is vital for our precious inheritance of church buildings. For some years the diocese was almost up-to-date with QIs, but currently 75 churches are behind with their Inspections up to 31st December 2013, with a further 93 having fallen due in 2014 for which reports have not yet been received. This situation must be addressed as a matter of real urgency, and the Administrator, Archdeacons and Secretary intend to contact all these parishes to remind them of their obligations. Sadly, the smaller number of QIs has meant a much smaller up-take of the grants offered by the diocese to support the cost of carrying them out. Only 23 were awarded in 2014.

Meetings and faculty applications

The Committee held 9 formal meetings in 2014, and debated and offered advice on 307 applications (282 full petitions for faculty and 25 formal requests for advice), many of which appeared on the agenda more than once. This is a modest increase on 2013. Of the full Petitions for Faculty, almost all were Recommended, with only 8 receiving No Objection. Not a single application was refused outright. During the course of the year 18 petitions were withdrawn by the applicants (some by default, having passed the two-year time limit) after being debated, and in several cases fully determined, by the Committee, and 4 remained on the agenda at the end of the December meeting. Overall, the Committee dealt with a little over 10% more business than in 2013.

Advice and support

All specifications for significant structural or fabric works were examined by Advising Architects, and the DAC received opinions on all relevant petitions from its specialist Advisors. During the year, parishes made 56 formal requests for expert technical advice through the DAC office, and a number of others were still outstanding from the previous year. Our Advisors submitted a total of 58 reports for consideration by the Committee (27 on bells, 16 on heating, 4 on Lighting and Electrics, 9 on pipe organs, 1 on an American Organ, and a single clock report). The Bells, Heating, Lighting, Sound Advisors commented in detail and liaised with architects on several schemes in progress. The Stained Glass Advisor visited parishes to advise on the development of a design brief or on the design for a new window, and several significant new windows were created and installed during the year.

In his closely related rôle as Church Buildings Officer, the Secretary made 59 visits to offer on-site advice to parishes, and gave evening or weekend talks about historic buildings, building maintenance and other related matters to several parishes and benefice groups. He organised and led a ‘Fit for Post’ day for first incumbents, participated in a training day for churchwardens and offered a considerable amount of advice informally by telephone and letter - often the essential first step in the development of cases which subsequently come before the Committee as faculty applications. In common with several other DAC Secretaries, he was unable to attend the annual national DAC Conference in Norwich in September, ironically because of a clash with the date of a DAC meeting. However, he attended important conferences on the design and conservation of stained glass and on the Faculty Simplification System, due to come into effect in January 2015, and several other national conservation events.

Several important issues remain to be addressed. Unlike most dioceses, York has not appointed a Support Officer for Places of Worship, and it has not yet proved possible to establish a collective maintenance programme to ensure effective, affordable and professional regular external maintenance of church buildings.

Conclusion

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Catherine Copp for taking on the role of Administrator at very short notice and with remarkable efficiency, and to draw to the attention of Synod the magnificent service rendered to the Diocese by all members and Advisers, who give voluntarily of their talents and time – some giving the Committee up to 30 days a year. I am deeply in their debt, and nourished by their continuing support and friendship.

Phil Thomas Church Buildings Officer & Secretary to the York Diocesan Advisory Committee York Diocesan Board Of Education

The last twelve months have, as is usual in education, brought a number of significant changes: to the government agenda, to our schools and to the DBE’s education team. Through it all schools continue to do their best for the children and families they serve in the name of the Church and the Education team.

Team changes: The team said goodbye to Canon Dr. Ann Lees in September 2014, as she stepped down as Diocesan Director of Education. Ann has had a major role in leading the Education team over the last 12 years and shaping the response to new developments. The DBE is in her debt.

New appointments to the team during the year include Claire Graham-Brown, Deputy Director, appointed in March 2014. With her legal background Claire plays a key role in new academy developments and in governance issues more broadly. Alison Smith was appointed School Effectiveness Adviser in September 2014. Drawing on her experience as head, particularly leading vulnerable schools to become more effective, she engages with all standards issues in diocesan schools. Helen Wren, part-time School Development Adviser, also appointed in September, adds capacity to the advisory team. Helen brings expertise in school management and in RE.

At a time when the support historically provided by local authorities is being significantly diminished and schools (especially academies) are being faced with ever greater levels of responsibility and reduced resources to discharge them these appointments enable the Church to offer more sustained and focused support.

While the role and remit of the DDE was being reviewed I was contracted as Acting Director of Education until such time as a substantive appointment was made. I have provided strategic oversight and detailed support for the team, in person in the office one day a week and remotely at other times. The day-to-day operation of the team has been being managed by the Deputy Director and the , as Ambassador for Schools, has been both a pastoral support for the team and also engaged in some of the high stakes issues arising in the educational landscape.

School structures: Changes during 2014 included the introduction of a new Ofsted framework, containing the requirement to promote fundamental British values as part of spiritual, moral social and cultural development in schools; the publication of a new national curriculum for key stages 1-3; changes to GSCE and A Level criteria; and the abolition of levels as a method of measuring pupil achievement. On the ground the continuing squeeze on funding means that collaboration is a live issue and governing bodies look to the team to explore the possibilities with them.

In September 2014 the National Society report “Working Together: The Future of Rural Schools” (produced by a working group chaired by Ann Lees) has put issues of viability and sustainability, felt acutely in small, rural schools, on the DBE agenda. The Report is intended to provide a toolkit for Dioceses to assist them in assessing the potential future of small, rural schools, and to provoke further consideration of creative collaborative opportunities. For this Diocese, this is of real relevance: of the 123 Church of England primary school/academies in the Diocese, only 30 or so have more than 210 pupils on roll and well over half of those have fewer than 100 pupils. The DBE convened a working group to steer this process, reporting in June 2015.

In the meantime, the Education team continues to encourage our schools to consider more sustainable structural solutions, ranging from shared headteacher appointments, shared governing body arrangements, collaborative companies, academy conversions and academy trust modifications. Depending on the specifics, these arrangements might allow economies of scale in

1 terms of staffing structures and the procurement of resources; facilitate the sharing of best practice; avoid duplication; provide more effective leadership arrangements; bring creative opportunities for the development of children and staff alike; and much more besides.

2014 saw the development of the first primary academy conversions and the establishment of the first multi-academy trust in the Diocese. These changes saw two Voluntary Controlled schools become academies under the newly created William Temple Academy Trust. Both academies are sponsored by the Educational Trust (DYET).

The background work leading to these new structures has been particularly challenging especially in relation to governance, and involved the team in a significant amount of technical work to ensure that the Church of England foundation of the schools was protected and the schools properly supported. Their establishment is testimony to the commitment of all concerned, both to providing the best possible education for all children and to offering an education grounded in Christian principles and beliefs beyond the existing Church of England family.

School standards: We have also seen a change in the expectations being placed on the DBE, DYET and the education team. The Department for Education is clear that as the Church of England formally sponsors academies through newly created Trusts directly related to Diocesan Boards of Education it must share the responsibility for standards and achievement expected of sponsors. On the ground that translates into a demand for professional support to schools in difficulty, having a direct impact on their performance. The School Effectiveness Advisor made a strong start in analysing school performance data for all church schools and academies and targeting those with the greatest need.

The current picture on standards in the Diocese is a positive one: of our 127 schools and academies, 82% are currently categorised as Good or Outstanding in Ofsted terms, with no schools judged to be Inadequate. However, a key challenge will be to sustain and improve on the current position, with no additional funding, reduced local authority support and little formal right to intervene in our schools.

SLA and training: The team has continued to provide and build on its core offer under the long standing Service Level Agreement. Over 90% of the 127 Church schools and academies in the Diocese have bought into the Scheme for 2014-16, indicating that schools really do value the support provided. Currently there are two levels of support available, basic or enhanced, which include differing levels of support for governance, development of the Christian ethos, collective worship, RE, pupil voice, teacher performance management and school improvement. In addition to the regular school visits the team also offered training courses in Collective Worship, effective governance, and sessions specific to school leadership teams.

SIAMS inspections: The SLA is targeted particularly at the support for denominational inspection (SIAMS). In 2014 30 schools were inspected; 8 schools were judged outstanding and 20 as good. This is good news for the Diocese as its schools continue to live out their Christian foundation and are recognised for it.

RE: This year saw the first joint RE conference (Diocese of York, York SACRE North Yorkshire SACRE) which was extremely well received. The RE networks continued to meet developing the quality of subject leadership especially in primary schools. In September the National Society published the report of the first major survey of the quality of RE in Church of England schools: ‘Making a Difference? A Review of Religious Education in Church of England Schools’. While the quality of RE in CofE secondary schools was found to be significantly better than in other secondary schools, in Church primary schools there is considerable need for improvement. This provided the background

2 for a bid to an external funder to extend the RE Networks into community schools with the support of HE and Local Authority professionals.

Chaplaincy: Earlier in 2014 “The Public Face of God: Chaplaincy in Anglican Secondary Schools and Academies in England and Wales” was published, also by the National Society. This was the first survey of school chaplains and provided a framework for meetings of the Chaplaincy networks.

Whilst there are many uncertainties at the moment: across the landscape and within the team pending the new DDE appointment – we are confident that we are well placed to continue the good work of years gone by, to rise to the new challenges of a changing system and to take the opportunities we are fortunate to receive to continue the Dioceses’ mission in schools. We are not sure precisely what the future will hold, but we are confident that it will be bright!

Please keep our schools and academies, the DBE and our education team in your prayers.

The Reverend Jan Ainsworth Acting Director of Education

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Mission and Pastoral Committee

2014 saw the retirement of several key longstanding members of the Mission and Pastoral Committee and its sub committee: my predecessor as Chair of the sub committee, the Venerable Richard Seed, the Diocesan Registrar, Lionel Lennox, and the Chair of the House of Clergy, the Revd Canon John Harrison. The Archdeacon of the East Riding, the Venerable , left the sub committee as he changed roles. All had served the committees with great commitment and skill and we wish them well for the future.

One of the exciting developments in the last year has been the increase in Bishop’s Mission Orders coming forward for consideration. This is an example of innovative thinking to realise potential within the resourcing and staffing means of the Diocese and the need to look beyond the more traditional patterns of pastoral care. It also illustrates the sub committee’s focus on Mission and the need to look at various forms of ministry appropriate to particular circumstances.

The sub committee has once more been heartened by the willingness of parishes to consider new opportunities and to engage with the spirit of Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples in its many forms, and is taking seriously the need to be proactive in its consideration and in its encouragement to parishes. Working together with parishes to seek the way forward is of paramount importance.

A significant amount of initial work is carried out by the Archdeaconry sub committees, and I would like to give special thanks to these members for their commitment to listening to parishes, and generosity with their time. I would also like to thank the staff at the Registry and the pastoral team at Diocesan House for their work in meeting the technical and legal obligations of reorganisation and in giving freely of advice and assistance. Last but not least my thanks go to our Vice Chair, Ros Brewer, whose dedication and insight is invaluable.

+Paul Whitby February 2015

Cases considered during the year

BENEFICE/ CASE SUBSTANCE OF REPORT The Archdeaconry of Cleveland North Thornaby/Portrack () Boundary Change St Agnes (Easterside), Middlesbrough Possible Closure for Public Worship New Marske, Wilton and Saltburn Termination of Plurality and Creation of New Plurality Lastingham St Mary Possible changes to the Housing provision for the Benefice

BENEFICE/ CASE SUBSTANCE OF REPORT The Archdeaconry of East Riding Sutton and Wawne Team Ministry Proposed Union of Benefices and Bishop’s Mission Order Withernsea, St Nicholas Closure for Public Worship Hull Holy Trinity Burial Ground Proposed road widening scheme Skirlaugh with Catwick, Long Riston, Rise and Swine/ Proposed Plurality Order Sigglesthorne with Nunkeeling and Bewholme St Mary Sculcoates/ Sculcoates Consideration of Pastoral Care arrangements North Scarborough Deanery Group Ministry Kirk Ella and Willerby Dissolution of Team Ministry Howden Team Ministry Future of Team Ministry Rudston with Boynton, Carnaby and Kilham/Burton Union of Benefices Fleming with Fordon, Grindale and Wold Newton

Walkington/ Rowley with Skidby/ Bishop Burton Union of Benefices

BENEFICE/ CASE SUBSTANCE OF REPORT The Archdeaconry of York Alne/Brafferton with Pilmoor, Myton on Swale and Future Pastoral Care Arrangements Thormanby Tadcaster with Newton Kyme/ Kirk Fenton with Union of Benefices Kirkby Wharfe and Ulleskelfe Scrayingham St Peter and St Paul Possible Closure for Public Worship York St Thomas Bishop’s Mission Order

Suspension/Termination of Patron’s Rights of Presentation

During 2014 the Group considered 21 suspensions of patron’s rights of presentation

Ecumenical Matters

Thorganby LEP dissolution Copmanthorpe constitution for LEP. Reviews of Clifton Moor LEP Easingwold possible LEP ENVOY team Osmothersley – ecumenical work. Anglican/ Methodist Covenant

Other Matters Considered

Annual Synod Reports Ministry Groupings in Selby Deanery Archdeaconry Sub – Committee Meetings The Church of St Helen Skeffling was licenced for marriages Flexible options and Mission initiatives Casual Vacancy on the Sub Committee

MISSON AND PASTORAL SUB COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

EX OFFICIO & NOMINATED The Venerable Richard Seed (Chair until 5th June 2014) The Bishop of Whitby (Chair from 4th September 2014) The Archdeacon of York The Archdeacon of Cleveland (Acting) The Archdeacon of the East Riding ( The Venerable Peter Harrison until 4th September 2014, The Venerable Andy Broom from 20th November 2014)

ARCHBISHOP’S COUNCIL NOMINEES The Revd Canon Richard Rowling Canon Stella Vernon Mrs Ros Brewer (Vice Chair) The Revd Canon John Harrison (Until 5th June 2014)

CO-OPTED MEMBERS

Mr David Haddon-Reece

ELECTED

CLERGY LAITY The Archdeaconry of Cleveland The Revd Rachel Harrison Mrs Linda J Gibbon

The Archdeaconry of East Riding The Revd Michael Proctor (from 20th Nov 2014) Miss Hilda Cowling

The Archdeaconry of York The Revd Canon John Weetman Mr Keith Steven

IN ATTENDANCE The Diocesan Secretary Peter Warry The Assistant Diocesan Secretary Shirley Davies The Diocesan Surveyor and Estates Manager Graham Andrews Secretariat Charlotte Lilley-Cook The Diocesan Registrar Caroline Mockford Ecumenical Advisor The Revd Paul Hutchinson (The Archdeaconry of Cleveland) Ecumenical Advisor Vacancy (The Archdeaconry of East Riding) Ecumenical Advisor The Revd Andrew Clements (The Archdeaconry of York)

MEMBERSHIP OF ARCHDEACONRY SUB COMMITTEES

These committees will always include the relevant Rural Dean, Lay Chair and at least one Deanery representative.

The Archdeaconry of Cleveland The Revd John Ford Mrs Linda Gibbon Mr David Haddon-Reece The Revd Canon Richard Rowling The Revd Canon David Hodgson The Revd Rachel Harrison The Revd Paul Hutchinson Canon Jenny Reid

The Archdeaconry of East Riding The Revd Liz Marshman The Revd Brian Lees Canon Stella Vernon Mrs Ros Brewer Mr Charles Walker Mrs Elizabeth Lauritzen The Revd Canon Stephen Cope (until 5th June 2014) The Revd Michael Proctor (from 20th Nov 2014) Miss Hilda Cowling

The Archdeaconry of York Mr Keith Steven Mrs Anne Hall The Revd Andrew Clements Mr Ken Townley The Revd Canon John Weetman The Revd Canon John Harrison (until 5th June 2014)

North Yorkshire Police (NYP) Police Chaplaincy

NYP currently has a team of 18 chaplains (same number as in 2014), giving much-appreciated ministry to NYP and serve in most of the operational police stations. The 18 chaplains are comprised of 15 Anglicans (11 Full-time ordained ministers; 1 retired minister and 3 Readers); 2 Methodist ministers and 1 retired Pentecostal minister.) Of the 18, 13 are male, 5 female. Eight chaplains were appointed either in 2014 or this year; 6 between 2010 and 2013; 4 between 2003 and 2009. Yes, quite a varied bunch!

Why are chaplains deemed necessary ? Generally speaking, Police work has become increasingly complex and demanding. It is often daunting and sometimes dangerous. It can be stressful and dehumanising. Chaplains are not welfare officers, counsellors or psychologists, but we are available as a 'listening ear' to anyone who needs us, in whatever way that might be.

We are committed to: • Support and encourage officers, police staff and their families • Respect and reflect the diversity of belief within the service and the wider community • Serve and respect all officers and staff • Value each individual member of the service as a complete person • Care for and support NYP, contributing when appropriate in the decision-making processes

What do chaplains do ? In our unique role we aim to: • Get to know the people we serve and understand the job they do • Build relationships based on friendship and trust • Support staff in any aspects of their professional duties or personal lives

We make ourselves accessible by: • Visiting police stations and specialist units • Attending training sessions • Spending time on duty with officers and police staff • Responding to major and critical incidents

We receive support and training from: • Regular ‘cluster’ meetings 2/3 times a year with a senior officer present • Annual NYP Chaplains’ conference • biannual National Association of Chaplains to the Police national and regional conference

We have the opportunity of offering ministry at various NYP services: • Annual Oakleaf service at Ripon Cathedral in memory of those killed on our roads • Memorial service at South Otterington church for former officers and staff

Yes, a very varied and rewarding ministry and enjoyed by those who offer it.

Simon Rudkin – NYP Coordinating Chaplain and Vicar of the Thorntons & Otteringtons Parish Prison Chaplaincy

2014 has seen more changes and challenges for Anglican Prison Chaplains nationally as well as in the Diocese of York. Continuing the analysis and planning process introduced in 2012 has seen the introduction of an annual Chaplaincy Assurance and Compliance visit. We (the team as a whole) are to be judged on 25 standards and given a score of 0 – 4 for each. To gain a 4 we must be prefect in that standard – this includes checking the many registers we have to sign daily, if any team member has missed once in the year we can not get a 4. Ultimately we will be given a Red, Amber of Green rating. To get a green we have to get 95/100.

Overall this is a good thing. After all if we are doing our job properly we should be scoring 4s. None the less the challenge is there and Anglican Chaplains have to contribute.

More heartening was a comment made by the former Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nick Hardwicke during a lecture he gave at Hull University, “Chaplains are the glue holding the prisons together.” This was in the context of his lecture “What does the state of our prisons tell us about the state of our nation?”

Our work as Chaplains seems to be valued by both staff and prisoners. We are seeing numbers attending worship and study groups increasing. Anglican Chaplains (alongside other Christian Chaplains and volunteers) are preaching the gospel in both word and deed and will continue to do so. There are one or two vacancies, so if there any potential labourers out there, this vineyard needs you!

Still our greatest challenge remains, how do we support people when they have left prison? Despite the pressures on us as Chaplains we will find ways to communicate the gospel and some will respond, but what will happen when they leave us?

It is a big question to which there are no easy answers. I repeat my suggestion that the church as a whole has a challenge to face here. How can we provide support? It will take long term commitment, training and resources. This at a time when we have many other challenges facing us.

Please pray for our ministry as we will pray for yours.

The Revd Nicholas Whetton, HMP Hull Property Sub-Committee

The principal function of the Property Committee is to oversee the work of the Diocesan Property Team who: • Maintain the estate of 290 houses used in ministry or let out to tenants pending such use • Watch over approximately 3400 acres of glebe land • Act on behalf of the Board of Finance as Custodian Trustee of property belonging to parochial and ecclesiastical trusts

In 2014, the diocese spent £1,542,652 on property maintenance of which £ £427.5k and £471.6k related to planned maintenance (wind and watertight work etc) and planned improvements (new kitchens and bathrooms) respectively. £340k was spent reactively on unforeseen repairs and this continues the recent trend seeing a fall in reactive repair work. The balance (£303k)was spent on the cyclical maintenance programmes (External painting, boiler servicing).

The most significant projects of work were the extension and refurbishment of the former parsonage houses at Stainton as the house of the new Bishop of Whitby and at Barlby to accommodate the new . Extensive works were also undertaken at the York St Barnabas PH which is now occupied by the incumbent of St Michael le Belfry and his family and at Seamer PH. It is tempting to think of the diocese as being fairly static in terms of clergy moves but there are on average nearly 30 per year and this requires the review of each property and the implementation of identified works.

The committee takes a long term view of its housing stock and properties are rented out, either during vacancies or until the future needs for ministry becomes clear. Rental income from the housing and glebe land estates generated £659,990 during 2014 making a valuable contribution to the diocesan economy.

The former parsonage houses at Rowley w Skidby, Roos, Hedon and Wawne were sold during the year along with the site of redundant garages at Acomb St Stephen. In addition a replacement house has been procured for Nunthorpe. The Net proceeds of £311k has been credited to the Diocesan pastoral account for future investment

In 2015 a Bishop’s Mission Order post is being created on the Kingswood estate in Hull and a property on the portfolio to provide a home is shortly to complete.

Our glebe property, approximately 3400 acres of agricultural land, is managed on behalf of the Diocese by Smiths Gore and by Dee Atkinson & Harrison. The portfolio continues to show capital growth. Income from Glebe property supports the Stipends Fund and, as such is playing an important part in the ongoing detailed review of our agricultural holdings and the diocesan investment strategy. Sales of ‘mature’ glebe land during the year generated £1.65m which has been reinvested to help provide a more balanced investment portfolio and improved investment income.

In our role as Custodian Trustees, we seek to ensure that parishes have met all the necessary requirements including the obtaining of valuations before they buy or sell property and that they have taken their agent’s advice on the best price achievable.

This year has been a particular challenge for our officers as both of our surveyors have been off with sickness for significant periods of time. I would particularly like to place on record the committee’s thanks to Lisa Whitley who has carried on the administrative burden of the property team with the willing support of Bevil Edwards and Peter Aldridge; all in addition to their normal workloads. During this time technical support has been provided by external consultant surveyors at Lawrence Hannah (Michael Holford and Chris Smith) and Mr Russell Pickering. Following Graham Andrews’ return to work he has been supported by the same consultants to meet the challenges involved in project delivery. It is to the credit of all the team members that they have met their collective challenges throughout the year with their usual good spirit and resourcefulness.

It is very sad that we have said goodbye to Brian Longbone at the end of 2014 as he has decided to take early retirement. Brian has been Assistant Surveyor & Maintenance Manager since 2004. During this time he has brought a considerable body of expertise and energy to the care and maintenance of our clergy housing. It is easy to underestimate the impact that housing has on the morale of our clergy. Brian has carried out his duties in the care of the housing portfolio (and indeed of our clergy and families themselves) throughout his nine active years as a member of the DBF staff. His diligence has regularly been noted by our clergy throughout that period and has been hugely appreciated. The committee would like to wish Brian a continued improvement in his health and extend their good wishes to his wife Paula as they both enter retirement together.

Robert Wivell, Chairman

Diocesan Registry

Lionel Lennox stepped down as Registrar of the Diocese of York and I was appointed as his successor on 1st September 2014. Lionel continues his connection with the York Diocesan Registry as a very supportive Deputy Registrar. The Registry staff – Elaine Slack, Hazel Bell and Wendy Cox have over forty years experience between them. Their collective knowledge has been invaluable in helping me to find my way around the Registry.

I am grateful for the exceptionally warm welcome that I have received from staff in the Diocesan Office, at Bishopthorpe and from around the diocese. I am doing my best to get to know as many people around the diocese as possible and have so far managed to get out to Beverley, Hedon, Moor Monkton, Newby and Seamer. I hope to explore more of the diocese over the next few months and have a long way to go to beat Lionel Lennox’s attendance at Archdeacon’s Visitations during 2014. As the Archdeacons of York and the East Riding chose to hold visitation services in every one of their deaneries in 2014, York probably qualified for the record for the number of visitations held in one diocese.

During 2014 the Registry prepared the documents relating to 58 clergy appointments.

361 petitions for faculties were lodged in the Registry, including 2 contested matters.

There was 1 churchyard and 2 cemetery consecrations.

Advice was given to clergy and PCC members on a wide variety of subjects, the most popular being in relation to marriage queries. 63 marriage licences were issued during the year.

I am delighted to say that I was not called upon to deal with any formal complaints against clergy in the diocese during my first four months in office.

Caroline Mockford, Registrar of the Diocese of York

Rural Affairs

Over the past year I have been working closely with the Bishop of Selby (Ambassador for Rural Life and Faith) to initiate a strategy for rural mission and ministry. After the completion of a detailed mapping exercise of rural provision and stake holders the strategy is now being developed by a small ecumenical group, the work is being facilitated by Canon Jill Hopkinson (The Church of England’s National Rural Officer).

In addition to this I have held regular briefing sessions with the Bishop of Selby. We also met a number of rural support organisations such as RABI (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and FCN (Farm Community Network) on a visit to the Great Yorkshire Show. We have also raised awareness within the diocese about the current crisis in the dairy industry. The Bishop also contacted the owners of a duck farm in East Yorkshire following an outbreak of avian flu there.

As a follow up to the successful 2013 conference ‘Celebrating and Growing The Rural Church’ I was a part of a small ecumenical group which organised four Rural Gatherings which sought to enable people from rural churches to learn more about celebrating and growing the rural church.

The regional rural officers also held a morning seminar in September on preaching at a harvest festival.

Last October the Arthur Rank Centre held a major conference on rural evangelism, Germinate, growing and equipping rural mission. I attended the conference along with the Revd. Canon Stephen Cope. The National Rural Officers’ Gathering at which I was present took place last November. I continue to be a member of the Yorkshire Rural Support Network as well as the Rural Church Support Network. I also circulated around the diocese worship resources for Rogationtide and Harvest Festivals.

Finally this observation from Jerry Marshall Chief Executive of the Arthur Rank Centre surely challenges us to build up the rural church, "Rural communities need vibrant churches more than ever”.

The Revd. Canon Richard Rowling Archbishop’s Adviser for Rural Affairs

From the Bishop of Selby, Ambassador for Rural Life and Faith.

I am very grateful to Canon Richard Rowling for his wisdom and guidance as we have explored the rural challenges facing our mission in this Diocese in conversation with ecumenical colleagues and I endorse all that he has included in this report particularly with regard to the facilitative work of Canon Jill Hopkinson.

+John Selby

Social Responsibility

The good bits of 2014 were seeing the benefits of the things I described previously; that is the five ‘mission apprentices’ using church commissioners’ funds (final comments in next years report because we’ve spun the money out until July)…. and SEARCH. SEARCH’s work has further matured, with six employees (3 w/t/e) into body, soul and mind ‘seems’ to mine deeper and deeper. Whilst body – growing and cooking that produces not only healthier cheaper food and diets, but also great joy and community building and coming out of shells – continues to thrive, and ‘mind’ is another thing for next year, ‘soul’ was 2014’s revelation.

We know there is no point in flogging a dead horse; no point in flogging an exhausted one either. There are a lot of activists, church workers and committed ordinary ‘doing good stuff best they can’ members who are if not exhausted, very tired. (There is an ocean of need and its getting deeper). We all need to learn to feed our soul, accepting our lack; our incompleteness and contradiction. We are fearfully and wonderfully made; we are loved by our creator; we are his friends and we are washed clean. But we are incomplete and we have our contradictions.

Search and friends constructed a ‘soul’ day. An event that began with beautiful food prep in a dilapidated church hall and proceeded to offer space to discover aesthetics, humour (a stand up vicar) and we hope, something close to love. If you are feeling crap, go to Yorkshire Sculpture Park or the Hepworth, or see a comedy show or invite some friends for a meal.

There are going to be a lot of soul feeding opportunities in ‘city of culture’ Hull cum 2017. Like many I guess, I’ve spent 2014 thinking and semi-consciously interceding and discussing, on and off, about what this huge opportunity might mean for Hull. Believe in Hull has found funding to pay a worker to enable churches to make the most of this build up and 2017-year. My wife is a puppeteer – I’ve seen power of a sculpted glued load of foam to transform a disinterested rabble into a rapt audience. And when Liz enables people to make a puppet for themselves, and learn how to animate it and give it a story… the effect is quite astounding on the previously dumb.

Hull has been despised and spat on. I hope that it may be a Smyrna - a city of deliverance. That, here, the culture will be freedom for the oppressed – a self-expression of beauty and contours and energy – which arises from within, expressed not least through our churches struggling to survive on the edges.

Andy Dorton South African Link The Diocese of York is twinned with three Dioceses in South Africa - Cape Town, False Bay and Saldanha Bay, which includes some of the most disadvantaged areas of Cape Town and the surrounding area in the Western Cape. The link aims to be one of encouragement and a mutual concern to help each other in our mission to make Christ's love known. A change of link officers in our Link dioceses has meant that progress in establishing and growing links has been slow in 2014, but it is hoped that this will accelerate following the proposed visits by teams led by Bishop John to Saldanha Bay and Bishop Paul to False Bay in September. Since the last report to Synod, a link between St Francis Primary School Ingleby Barwick and St Michael’s School Khayelitsha has been established and a visit by the headteacher from Ingleby Barwick, a return visit by a teacher and school secretary from Khayelitsha and the exchange of letters between the students is starting to bear fruit. The youth team have been working with the youth officers in the link dioceses to enable a group from Cape Town to attend the “Ablaze” international youth conference with young people from York in July 2015. An Ordinand from York was sponsored to spend two weeks on a placement in the Diocese of False Bay, where she experienced ministry and mission in a very different context and has come back enlivened and inspired. It is hoped that this will be the first of a regular exchange and a visit to York by a priest from South Africa on sabbatical is planned for 2015. 2014 saw devastating bushfires around Cape Town and we were able to offer prayerful support as well as some small financial assistance. One of the parish links is now actively supporting a “soup kitchen” in Khayelitsha which is able to offer food 7 days a week to HIV/AIDS families and orphans. Plans are well advanced for 2016, which include a visit by Bishop Alison to the Diocese of Cape Town, a visit by students from Archbishop Holgate School, a visit to work with the “Warehouse” project in Cape Town to exchange ideas and good practice and an ordinand will again be supported on placement in South Africa. Additionally there will be visits to follow up the Bishops’ visits.

John Ford, Chair of the Link Committee Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is a ministry deeply embedded within the Christian tradition, one of the many ways in which we share in the ministry of Jesus Christ within the life of his body, the Church. SPIritual DIRection offers the opportunity to develop the skills to accompany people on their faith journey. If you feel that you are open to God’s call to walk with others, this ecumenical course will help you to listen to and understand better the call of God in the lives of others. SPIDIR is a two year ecumenical course it will challenge you to explore your own relationship with God in order that you can be a ‘life servant’ to others. • Are you interested in exploring some of the treasures of Christian Spirituality? • Are you looking for insights to help and encourage you in your journey with God? • Do you desire gifts to aid your walking alongside fellow pilgrims or those who are searching for God? • Or, are you sensing a calling to exercise a ministry of spiritual direction? If you can answer YES to some or all of these questions, then the SPIDIR course may well be right for you. A new SPIDIR course begins in February 2016 the details will soon be available on the Diocesan website: www.dioceseofyork.org.uk

SPIDIR Resource Days The SPIDIR Resource days continue to offer support and teaching to those in the ministry of spiritual direction, during the past year we have shared excellent days at Wydale Hall with the , Brother Damian and Rev Sue Sowden and give thanks for the sharing of their time and insight of Shaping and Sustaining Faith, Franciscan Spirituality and Praying through Creative Expressions.

Spiritual Directors Supervision Group Spiritual Directors have the opportunity to meet as a group with Andrew De Smet for a time of supervision; these meetings are every three months at Wydale Hall.

Want a Spiritual Director Do you need to find a spiritual director in the Diocese of York? Your parish clergy may have suggestions, or you may like to contact one of the following who hold the list of Directors they can suggest some one:

Cleveland Archdeaconry: Rev. Andrew De Smet 01439 770760 [email protected] Rev. Adam Reed 01287 622007 [email protected]

York Archdeaconry: Rev Susan Collier 01904 706064 [email protected]

East Riding Archdeaconry Rev. David Jago 01482 443566 [email protected]

Ros Brewer SPIDIR Support Group

Together Middlesbrough & Cleveland

Together Middlesbrough & Cleveland (TMC) is a Joint Venture between the York Diocese and the Church Urban Fund. It is part of a national ‘Together Network’, which helps create sustainable and more effective solutions to tackling poverty in England. During 2014 the project, originally called Together Middlesbrough become a registered charity and adopted the new name (TMC) to reflect the growing work in Redcar & Cleveland.

During 2014 Middlesbrough Food Bank has continued to provide emergency food to people in crisis, but has also been developing a “More than Food” response, in the form of a slowcooker project. Families learn how to cook simple, low cost meals and receive a slow cooker and larder pack to help them get started at the end of the course. This has proved to be a very simple and effective way of supporting families and we were delighted to help secure sponsorship to offer this to 200 families.

The John Paul Centre a Roman Catholic Pastoral Centre in the heart of Middlesbrough, completed its makeover, and is now fully operational, hosting 8 local projects providing support to the most vulnerable people in the town centre. Through Church Urban Fund, funding was secured to develop the Positive Pathways out of Homelessness project, which launched in September 2014, providing individual support to people facing homelessness.

Child Poverty can be as high as 60% in local communities, so for many families the summer holidays are a struggle. With no free school meals, the weekly budget has to stretch further for food and there is little left for activities and treats. Hope 4 Summer 2014 was a practical grass roots response, local churches worked together to offer some hope to local families by providing fun activities in a safe place for children with some healthy food. The project featured in a regional report on holiday hunger and a film was made to share the story, which you can view at http://youtu.be/NSpcaRMbmp0.

In June 2014 a Poverty Service was held in Redcar to bring together churches and Christian activists concerned about poverty in their communities. This was to mark the beginning of developing Church Urban Fund work in Redcar & Cleveland, including the appointment of a development officer for this area.

It was reported in 2014 that Middlesbrough was housing more asylum seekers per head of population than anywhere else in England. Churches responded by attending a conference organised by TMC and forming a Faiths group of Sanctuary (part of Tees Valley of Sanctuary), offering welcome and support to people fleeing persecution living in their communities.

In addition to these larger strategic projects, TMC has worked alongside churches doing grass roots work in their local communities. Support with funding, attracting resources and volunteers and working with other organisations can make a substantial difference to the work of local churches.

Heather Black, Development Officer York Diocesan Training Team Encouraging mission and ministry across the diocese of York

Training Team Report

At the beginning of the year we welcomed the Revd Canon Angela Bailey to the Team as Training Adviser for Cleveland Archdeaconry and Diocesan Lay Development Adviser; this has definitely strengthened our work in both aspects of Angela’s responsibilities. Elaine Bielby started the year on sick leave, and was on a phased return to work from July: she is very grateful to colleagues who covered her work with curates throughout that time. Also during the year Gavin Wakefield was on study leave for three months, which included time examining lay development in other dioceses and writing two Grove booklets. Gavin is very grateful to the Team members who took on additional work to allow this to happen. At the end of the year John Grove, who has volunteered in lay development for many years, retired from the Team and Pam Macnaughton stepped down from her role as Pioneering Ministry Adviser as her work with CPAS has developed.

During 2014 we have continued to work in support of the diocesan vison for ‘Generous Churches – making and nurturing disciples’, both in our continuing work with lay people, Readers, and clergy, and in newer developments, such as Continuing Ministerial Development open to all and planning for the Leading Your Church into Growth conference in 2015.

Highlights during the year include: • Expanding the Recognised Parish Assistants Scheme. Another 6 courses were completed in Deaneries across the diocese. By the end of the year 199 RPA's have trained. 3 Courses were in progress with an additional 49 participants; and more are planned. • Provided an extended offering of Continuing Ministerial Development training for lay people, Readers, and Clergy, for the first time in a joint programme. • The York School of Ministry began to offer accredited lay training in the Diocese and also started to see RPAs come on to further courses. • Implemented the new national formational criteria for curates, in what is now called Initial Ministerial Education phase 2 (that is, after ordination) • Improving the curate assessment programme and support of those incumbents who train curates. • Continuing to run the York Leadership Programme for approximately 20 clergy • Starting a Learning Community of support for multi-church benefices, in conjunction with CPAS – the first diocese in the country to do this. • Supporting and encouraging pioneer ministry and its development, including the first conference for training incumbents and pioneer curates run in the country. • Offering support for Deanery plans, where requested; include implications for training • Offering support for PCCs/parishes/benefices to develop vision and strategic planning. • Working with the Regional Training Partnership to offer some specific training opportunities where there is benefit working together in a bigger area e.g. training for Supervision Skills Courses, Area/Rural Deans, Pioneer Ministry, some Curate Training and developing support for clergy through Clergy Accompaniment.

More details of the Training Team and the events we run can be found on the diocesan website: http://dioceseofyork.org.uk/supporting-people/training/

Gavin Wakefield, Director of Training for Missional Ministry 18th April 2015 Vocations

It has been another encouraging year from the point of view of vocations. We now have a team across the diocese that cover initial enquiries about vocations (RPAs, Readers, the Religious life, Church Army etc) so that we can explore ministry as of the whole people of God and point enquirers in the right direction; we have a group of Assistant DDOs looking specifically at those feeling called to ordained ministry; and we have a small group called ‘care for candidates’ who walk alongside those and look after the pastoral needs of enquirers. All this still needs to be firmed up and developed but it has taken good shape over the year and is serving the diocese well.

We have seen a small but significant number offering themselves for diaconal ministry and as a staff we have been looking at what shape this might take in the future – a debate that is also running nationally. We hosted two very good conferences this year which seem to becoming something of a regional support and has even attracted deacons from other denominations.

We continue to work as a team to encourage discussion of vocations amongst young adults through residentials at the Emmaus Centre (‘Hineni’ - ‘Here I am Lord’) and this year were involved in the Youth Council hosted at the Minster. In co-operation with the regional training institutions the Archbishop hosted another very successful (and over-subscribed) ‘Step Forward’ day conference for young adults at Bishopthorpe. With our neighbouring diocese we have developed a website on vocations and a YouTube presentation on young vocations. We have two young adults taking up ‘gap year’ pastoral assistants posts (with a view to exploring ordination) but look forward to seeing this develop alongside the ministry at Wydale Hall. We have one candidate now pursing his calling with the Franciscans at Alnmouth and another considering this with the brothers at Mirfield.

2014/15 we have sent 28 candidates to Bishops Advisory Panels with ages across the board. Currently there are 47 in training (22 men and 25 female) with potentially another 16 entering training in September 2016. With numbers so healthy, we will be an ‘exporting diocese’ in 2016/17. It also means we need to identify and nurture more potential training Incumbents. The decline in those coming forward as SSMs seems to be a national trend and may reflect insecurity around pensions and the reduction in those being offered early retirement.

So, there is a lot going on behind the scenes and a lot of plans e.g. developing contextual training within Middlesbrough churches. But there will also be a lot more coming Synod’s way in the near future as the consideration of our focus for recruiting/resourcing of theological training presently under discussion nationally comes up for discussion locally.

The Revd Dav Mann, Diocesan Advisor on Vocations/DDO

Wydale Hall A Prayerful Community Renewing the Church’s Mission – not just a venue After 5 years as General Manager of Wydale Hall, Barry Osborne left at the end of December 2014. The Diocese is grateful to Barry for his dedication and service, and wishes him all the best in the future. Bishop Graham Cray is now chairing the Vision and Oversight Group and Mark Rance started work as General Manager in January after 21 years working at St Michael le Belfrey Church in York. Wydale has years of wonderful ministry behind it and It is now felt that the time has come to focus on building the spiritual life of the community at Wydale, and the team are working towards a fresh vision of being a Prayerful Community Renewing the Church’s Mission. In the future there will be an increasing focus on Wydale as a centre of prayer and ministry, of mission and on the rhythm of life of the hall. It is hoped to build the community of people living and worshiping at Wydale focusing on some key values and strategic objectives. Look out for Renewal Days and evenings and opportunities to pray with and for the community at Wydale. This won’t be achieved overnight and there is no change for change’s sake. Much of the life of the centre is as it has always been. January to March 2015 saw visits from many Diocesan groups and churches as well as many private guests and groups on retreat and training days. If Wydale is to thrive there is much hard work to be done to achieve good levels of bookings, build a successful business model and be a place which provides a distinctive and special experience for all those who come, with Jesus Christ at the centre. Could you help to spread the word about the wonderful facilities available? A new website has been launched recently (www.wydale.org) and visitors are always welcome to come and see what is on offer. Volunteers are very welcome at Wydale. There is work to be done in the gardens and in the house, office work, marketing, prayer ministry and much more. Do contact Mark at Wydale if you would like to volunteer for any of these areas or indeed something else. At the end of May it is hoped to make a key appointment to the post of Assistant Manager at Wydale. This person will work alongside Mark and the Vision and Oversight Group and will have specific responsibilities to help develop the Wydale programme and training opportunities. Do please pray for the right person to join the community at Wydale.

Mark Rance General Manager – Wydale Hall April 2015

Supporting the work of the Archbishop and the life of the Diocese and Province The Venerable David Butterfield joined Chapter in in a dual capacity as a Residentiary Canon and also as Archdeacon for Stewardship and Generous Giving. We celebrated the Inauguration of the new diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. Archbishop Sentamu held a week long fast and vigil of “Hope and Trust for the Peace of the World.

Inspiring through the story of Jesus Christ In 2014 more than 600,000 visited, we arranged 27,000 events and services and welcomed 9,020 to worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Minster Choir sang Evensong live on BBC Radio 3. Allez Alleluia was the message from the central tower for Le Grand depart. We began to use the Pilgrim Course.

Engaging our Community We created a new cathedral roll and elected a new community committee which stablished two new sub-groups: Social Action and Lifestyle, Ecology, Sustainability and Stewardship (LESS). We continue to support the work of the City Deanery. We supported the Middlesbrough food-bank with 1.35 tonnes of food. The Clergy team visited places as far and wide as Withernsea to Selby, South Cave to Northallerton.

Learning and Transformation We welcomed 5600 people to the Old Palace, over 46,000 to the Learning Centre, 180,000 people to the Undercroft. The outbreak of the First World War in a vigil on the evening of 4th August. A new exhibition focusing on the King’s Book of Heroes was opened in the Treasury. 80 young people from across York debated “What is a hero” and created their own contemporary version of the Kings Book.

Sustaining the Minster requires investment. Ongoing restoration will require £2.5 a year for the foreseeable future. We were awarded £200,000 from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund for the Camera Cantorum. ( Twelve former choristers and an Alto songman were killed on active service in the First World War). We are creating a masterplan for the precinct including much-needed catering provision. Our 491 volunteers, covering 706 volunteering opportunities contributed the equivalent of £1,152,576 in 2014.

And We are grateful for those who have supported us in a variety of ways over many years, particularly to Lord Crathorne and Colonel York, who retired as Lord Lieutenant and Vice Lord Lieutenant after 15 years, to Dr Richard Shephard who retired as Director of Development and Chamberlain, and to Ven Richard Seed who retired from Chapter having brought us much wisdom.

The Very Revd Vivienne Faull,