The bells rang out and the sun made an appearance as our former colleague and friend, the Revd Barry Hill, was ordained and consecrated as the Suffragan Bishop of Whitby in a Eucharistic service at York Minster on Thursday (10 October).
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, consecrated three new bishops – the Revd Barry Hill as the Suffragan Bishop of Whitby, the Reverend Canon Dr Flora Winfield as the Suffragan Bishop of Selby, both in the Diocese of York, alongside the Venerable Patricia Hillas, as the Bishop of Sodor and Man.
Bishop Martyn, Bishop Saju, and many friends, family and colleagues from the Diocese of Leicester made the journey to York to share in Barry’s consecration, committing to continue to pray for him, his family and his ongoing ministry in this new diocese.
The celebratory service marked the feast day of St Paulinus, the first Bishop of York in the 7th Century, with an insightful sermon preached around that subject by Canon Dr Paula Gooder.
Paula took the congregation back to the journey to England made in the 7th Century by Saints Paulinus, Mellitus and Justus, remembered today in the churches they founded in York, London and Rochester, and drew a parallel in the new ministries beginning for the three new bishops.
They too are setting out in trust and in faith, she said, and will be upheld by “the one who never has and never will leave us.”
Barry’s children also played a part in the special service, his daughter Katy reading from the Old Testament and son Greg assisting during communion.
Barry has served for the past 20 years in various parish roles across the Diocese of Leicester, alongside diocesan-wide positions in parish renewal and mission, overseeing fresh expressions of Church and church planting, and more recently discerning our diocesan strategy with a focus on growing younger.
A collection was held within the diocese, which was used to gift Barry with a hand-carved pastoral staff, presented to him by the Archbishop of York during the service.
In a letter of thanks to the diocese, Bishop Barry said: “I am so deeply grateful to God for each of you and the Diocese of Leicester, and especially (yesterday) for all your prayers, support, love and the most beautiful crafted pastoral staff.
“After almost half a life in the diocese, you will always remain deep in our hearts, but the daily reminder in carrying the staff is especially generous. We felt marinated in the grace of God and prayers of the saints – thank you. Be assured of our continued prayers, love, and know us cheering you on from Teeside.”
You can read the letter in full here.
The Bishop of Whitby holds a particular responsibility for the care of the people, parishes, and clergy in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland, which stretches from Thirsk north to Middlesbrough, along the coast to Whitby, and south to Pickering. Additionally, the Bishop of Whitby will lead the Diocese of York’s priority of Growing Younger and More Diverse, ensuring this is understood and woven into the whole diocesan mission and ministry, and will serve as Chair of the Board of Education with a particular care for the 121 Church of England schools in the diocese.
A service to welcome Barry as Bishop of Whitby into his archdeaconry will take place at All Saints’ Northallerton on Wednesday 23 October at 7pm.
Photos: copyright Duncan Lomax / Ravage Productions.