Prayers Answered for new Ministers

Dear friends,

As you may recall, last October we wrote to you asking you and the churches you serve to pray most earnestly for the unusually high vacancy rate across the archdeaconry. We wrote that “Whilst we are working hard with parishes and deanery leaders to fill all the posts we can as quickly as we can, this beautiful part of God’s Kingdom can sadly be a slightly hidden treasure to many clergy who seem to think God is calling them further south!  Jesus is clear in such circumstances we should pray for more labourers (Matthew 9:37-38).”

Well you prayed and God heard, and answered!  Through what can only be described as a miraculous move of God, all roles advertised to date are in the process of being filled.  This is extraordinary and far beyond what we would expect anywhere in the Church of England.  When we then look at what wonderful people God is calling here, it genuinely feels to be a result of God hearing your prayers (to reassure we have held a very high bar of suitability). 

May we also turn our renewed focus in prayer to God calling more people to lay and ordained ministry - just imagine...

Amanda and Barry

Amanda Bloor | Archdeacon of Cleveland

Barry Hill | Bishop of Whitby

Full list of recent vaccines across the archdeaconry;

·       Christ Church, Eston and St George’s, Normanby (Middlesbrough deanery) – Marion Barella to be licensed 29th September, 7pm

·       Kirkdale with Harome, Nunnington and Pockley (Northern Ryedale deanery) – TBA 11th November, 7pm

·       All Saints, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough deanery) – Ross Copley licensed 20th July 2026

·       St Nicholas, Guisborough (Guisborough deanery) – Jan Nobel to be licensed 3rd September, 7pm, all welcome

·       Brompton with Deighton held in plurality with West and East Rounton with Welbury (Mowbray deanery) – Julia Staves to be licensed 27th September

·       The Mulgrave Benefice (Whitby Deanery) - more news to be announced soon but save the date of 1st November, 2pm

·       Sessay, Thirkleby, Kilburn and Bagby House for Duty (Mowbray deanery) – Nigel Wright to be licensed 1st July, 7pm, all welcome

·       The Ascension, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough deanery) - more news to be announced soon but save the date of 9th September, 7pm

·       Holy Trinity, North Ormesby and St Thomas, Brambles Farm (Middlesbrough deanery) – John Keeley licensed in February 2026

·       St John the Evangelist, South Bank (Middlesbrough deanery) – Fr Malcolm Lockey licensed March 2026

·       St Martin of Tours, Whinney Banks (Middlesbrough deanery) – Sam Tyndall licensed January 2026

·       The Whorlton Benefice House for Duty (Stokesley deanery) – locally decided to pause for the meantime as a curate and ordinand are now in context

·       Easington, Liverton, Liverton Mines (Guisborough deanery) – Gill Boag-Munroe licensed May 2026

·       Topcliffe, Baldersby with Dishforth, Dalton and Skipton on Swale – Dawn Ward licensed October 2025

·       Great Ayton and Newton Under Roseberry – Sarah Cliff licensed October 2025

·       Moorlands Benefice (Whitby deanery) – interviews mid July

·       Coatham and Dormanstown (Guisborough deanery) – to be advertised in August and September

·       Lastingham, Appleton-le-Moors, Rosedale & Cropton (Northern Ryedale deanery) – in process, for advertising later in 2026