The Reverend Darryl Hall has been licensed as the new Area Dean of Ripon, one of the six deaneries in the Ripon Episcopal Area, at a service of Choral Evensong held in Ripon Cathedral.
Friends and family, together with parishioners from his current parish of Upper Nidderdale and previous parish of Knaresborough, came to support him in this wonderfully atmospheric service led by the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend John Dobson. The sermon and licensing were conducted by the Right Reverend Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds. Choral music was provided by the Lincoln Singers.
Darryl said, ”The role of an Area Dean is to represent the people of the deanery to the Bishop and the Bishop to the people of the deanery. I look forward to working both pastorally and collaboratively with my clergy colleagues in the deanery.”
A deanery is a geographical area within a larger area, known as a diocese. In a deanery parishes are grouped together under the pastoral and administrative care of the Area Dean. Ripon deanery covers the parishes roughly within the area of Masham to Kirk Hammerton and Greenhow to Boroughbridge.
Darryl joins five other Area Deans who will work together with the Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven, Venerable Bev Mason and the next Bishop of Ripon, to be appointed following the retirement of Bishop James Bell.
Darryl added, “We have strong, committed leaders in Bishop Nick, Archdeacon Bev and Dean John. This feels like a great time to be an Area Dean, but please continue to pray for our deanery and indeed all who minister in the Christian faith.”