The Diocese of Leeds has published our first set of prayer resources for supporting the Vacancy in See process.
As part of the Vacancy in See committee, we have a Prayer Group being led by the Very Revd John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, looking at how to encourage, resource and facilitate prayer to cover the whole process.
The group have produced a new resource to prompt, encourage and help all across the diocese to pray through this time of transition.
The resource includes simple ideas for prayers, as well as liturgical texts, readings and further prayers.
Dean John said: “With the retirement of Bishop Nick, the Diocese of Leeds is entering into a significant season of change and transition.
“Prayer has been central to the growth and development of our diocese, and needs to remain so as we commit ourselves to being open to God’s sustained calling and our continued transformation.
“It doesn’t matter whether we use this material or pray and reflect in different ways.
“The important thing is that we all pray as we can, not as we think we should.
“And as we pray together, in varied ways in different contexts, so we will continue to grow together.
“The focus of our prayer will change as we progress through the retirement of Bishop Nick, saying thank you and farewell to him and Linda, the interim leadership of Bishop Toby, the process of discernment and appointment of the person chosen by God to be our next diocesan bishop, and our welcome of that person who will lead the Diocese of Leeds into the next phase of its life.
“I am grateful to the members of the Vacancy in See prayer sub-committee for working with me to produce this material: Father Gary Waddington, Revd Rachel Firth, Ms Shirley Stackhouse & Revd Millie Cork.”
In September 2025 we shall be updating the resource with prayers and more items for use in schools.
During July we are running our public consultation about the next Bishop of Leeds, something that we hope this resource can support.
The online consultation form can be found here.
More on the Vacancy in See process can be found here, where we shall share further resources in due course.