Issued by York Minster
The appointments of three key positions at York Minster were announced today. The Archbishop of York has appointed The Reverend Canon Dr Christopher Collingwood as Canon Chancellor and The Reverend Michael Smith as Canon Pastor, and The Chapter of York has appointed Kathryn Blacker as Chapter Steward.
The new Canons will be installed in the summer, and Ms. Blacker will take up her position on 20 May 2013.
The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of York, said, ‘I am delighted that three such experienced and creative people have agreed to join the Minster community. I also honour our current staff and clergy for ably covering these positions for over a year whilst we looked for the right candidates. I look forward to having them all in position and a fully staffed Minster by autumn.’
As Chancellor, Dr Collingwood will continue to foster York Minster’s links with universities, schools and the wider diocese, including the Ebor Lectures in collaboration with the University of York St John. He will also oversee the Historic Collections at the Minster, the Centre for School Visits and Learning.
Dr Collingwood has had a varied ministry, first as Assistant Curate at St Paul’s at Tupsley in Hereford, and recently as Precentor to the Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban. He also served as Vicar of St Paul’s in Bedford, Guildford Cathedral and Chigwell. He is married to Sue, a complementary therapist, specialising in Therapeutic Massage and Aromatherapy and they have four grown-up children.
As Canon Pastor, Mr Smith will work with the Minster Community Committee to support and develop the life and witness of the great range of people connected with York Minster, including the development of networks for students and young adults and pastoral care for staff, volunteers and visitors. He will also represent York Minster within the local church and faith communities.
Mr Smith has served in four parishes within the Diocese of Oxford and has also been chaplain of Helen House, a hospice for children in Oxford and of Thames Hospicecare. He has been the Vicar of the Benefice of the Cookhams since 2001 and the Area Dean of Windsor and Maidenhead since 2012. He is married to Ann and they have three grown up sons.
As Chapter Steward, Ms. Blacker will serve as the senior lay colleague to the Chapter and is responsible for the day-to-day management of York Minster’s resources and commercial activities and overseeing the staff and volunteers. She will also be working on strategic development and key projects, including York Minster Revealed.
Ms. Blacker held previous posts at BBC Sport, including Innovation Development Producer from 2001. She joined the National Media Museum in 2003 as Head of Media Development and was promoted to Deputy Director/Head of Public Programme in 2005.
She oversaw the development and delivery of the Museum’s programme; a diverse range of activity including permanent galleries, exhibitions, publications, learning activities, film screenings, media and film festivals. She lives in East Yorkshire with her husband and daughter.
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