On Saturday 28 June 2025 at 11 a.m., York Minster will welcome the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, as he ordains four individuals into the diaconate of the Church of England. The service will be led by preacher The Revd Leah Vasey‑Saunders, the Vicar of Lancaster Priory and bishop-designate of Doncaster, and can be viewed live via the Minster’s YouTube channel.
Covering parishes across the Diocese of York delimited between the Rivers Humber and Tees, the A1, and the Yorkshire coast the candidates will embrace roles as Assistant Curates, dedicated to serving their communities in traditional and modern ways.
🕊️ Meet the Ordinands
- Peter Birkinshaw, a Marketing & Communications professional and worship musician, has felt called to ordained ministry through his service in church music. Peter will begin his curacy in the Benefice of Northallerton with Kirby Sigston.
- Karen Flood enters ordained ministry while maintaining her career as a Consultant Cardiovascular Radiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Alongside her husband Simon and daughters, Karen is set to serve in the Benefice of Marston Moor, continuing to blend NHS service with parish ministry.
- Hannah and Sam Theobald, a married couple who met during their theological training, will both be ordained. Hannah, currently a support worker with Restore York, will serve in the Fulford Benefice, while Sam will join the team at St Michael-le-Belfrey, York, bringing experience from his theological degree and church work.
Archbishop’s Reflections
Archbishop Cottrell expressed his joy in meeting the candidates and hearing their varied vocations, anticipating the impact of their diverse talents and experiences on diocesan ministry. He pledged his prayers that “the love of God may be made visible through them” as they embark on their journeys of service.
Why This Matters
Deacons occupy a vital role assisting in liturgy and outreach, embodying service and heralding the gospel in their daily lives, whether in traditional parish contexts or in employment and community engagement (en.wikipedia.org).
The upcoming ordinations continue York’s long-standing tradition of equipping ministers to serve across varied social and professional spheres, ensuring the church remains embedded in everyday life. These next-generation clergy reflect a broad cross-section of contemporary society professionals, carers, creatives called to serve both in and beyond church walls.
Service Logistics
- Date & Time: Saturday 28 June 2025, 11 a.m.
- Venue: York Minster
- Preacher: The Revd Leah Vasey‑Saunders
- Live Stream: York Minster’s YouTube Channel
The newly ordained deacons will soon begin their curacies, ministering alongside experienced clergy as they serve God and community across the Diocese of York.
