This week is officially David Hope’s final week as the Archbishop of York, before he moves to a new ministry in Ilkley. For those who missed it in the Link here’s what he wrote to us, the villagers he leaves behind, in farewell:
“One of the very significant features of the ministry of any Bishop or Archbishop is that unlike a Vicar or a Priest-in-Charge there is no one parish or group of parishes which can be called home territory.
“I should think that during this last twelve months, as with every year I have been here as archbishop, I have visited some eighty or so parishes ranging from the Tees to the Humber and from the East Coast to the Vale of York – a huge variety of people and places, both urban and rural. This has been one of the enormous joys and encouragements of my ministry in the Diocese.
“It has, however, been a real pleasure to have become, in some very modest way, part of this village, Bishopthorpe – a wonderfully warm and welcoming village and where I have felt for me at least this has been “home�. The first thing I did following my Enthronement was to lead worship here at St Andrew’s. And when I went to get my hair cut for the very first time at Nick’s, the news, I was told, spread like wildfire – that the Archbishop had gone for a hair cut in the village!
“There are many happy memories I shall treasure of my time not only as Archbishop but also as a member of this village community and not least of course in the millennial year, the Bishopthorpe Pageant here at the Palace and then later on in early November the floods – who will ever forget that year? Terrible though the floods were, they nevertheless served to bind us together more closely as good neighbours, and ensured everyone was doing what they could to help each other.
“So my thanks to all of you here in Bishopthorpe for having made me so welcome in your midst and for having given me the privilege of being part of your life for nine years or so of my life.
“With prayers and every blessing to and for you all
Yours sincerely
David Ebor�
