Our new Diocesan Director of Vocations is Revd Canon Sean Robertshaw from the Holme Valley, following in the successful footsteps of newly-retired Revd Canon Derek Walmsley.
Revd Sean was born and raised in Huddersfield where he was a youth worker, becoming ordained in 1993. He served as curate in Morley before becoming team vicar in the Upper Holme Valley Team in 1996.
Since 2001 Revd Sean has lead the team as Rector and since 1998 he has also served in the Army Reserve (formerly the Territorial Army) holding a number of positions as chaplain and being closely linked with the Army Foundation College in Harrogate. Following operational duties in Iraq and Afghanistan, Revd Sean became an honorary Canon of Wakefield Cathedral in 2011.
He is looking forward to growing into the new position of Diocesan Director of Vocations later this year and to meeting people from the parishes across all the episcopal areas as he wants to see new vocations both lay and ordained springing up in the harvest fields.
“Part of the vision for our diocese is grow in love for God and for one another and to develop confidence. Vocational pathways, lay or ordained are great enablers of worship, mission and service,” Revd Sean said.
“As a parish priest it has been a great privilege to work alongside lay and ordained colleagues and to witness special moments of transformation. I have had the best of times, but it is now time for something different.
Revd Sean is married to Sally, they have two grown up children and two dogs.
Revd Canon Andrew Norman, Diocesan Director of Ministry and Mission welcomed Revd Sean into his important new role.
“We’re delighted to welcome Sean as our new Diocesan Director of Vocations. As leader of the Vocations Team, Sean will exercise a crucial role in encouraging and discerning vocations to ministry, ordained and lay, across the varied contexts of our diocese.”
Praising Revd Derek Walmsley for his devoted service, Andrew said: “During his nine years as DDOV, Derek has preached in over a hundred churches in our diocese.
“His infectious enthusiasm for nurturing vocation is captured in the title of his book, ‘God calls everyone’, published while in post.
“Leading our Vocations Team, he has overseen vocational discernment for countless candidates with a pastoral heart and a discerning eye.
“He successfully introduced the new national discernment process, despite the added complication of Covid.
“Thanks to Derek and his team, the Diocese of Leeds has established a fine reputation across theological colleges for looking after its ordinands while they are in training.
“We wish Derek continued fruitfulness, as God calls him into retirement.”
Derek is pictured below with a fan...
