Archdeacon of York to retire
The Venerable Richard SeedFriday 27th April 2012
The Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Richard Seed, is to retire in October this year. He will not only retire from his role as Archdeacon of York, but also as Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate. Richard will remain as a Residentiary Canon at York Minster and a member of the Minster’s Chapter.
The Ven Richard Seed said, “This summer I shall have been Ordained 40 years. It has been a great privilege and huge responsibility being Archdeacon of York since 1999, when Archbishop David Hope appointed me after George Austin retired. I have enjoyed the role greatly and tried to fulfil its demands to the best of my ability. It has been a joy to work with two Archbishops, two Bishops of Selby who have been and are colleagues and friends, as well as a great staff team within the Archbishop’s staff and diocesan office.
“It has also been important that I have remained a parish priest whilst being an Archdeacon, which has kept me rooted and grounded in parish life. Most clergy are ordained into parish ministry and it has enabled me to remain a pastor to both clergy and laity of the archdeaconry; especially churchwardens and other parish and deanery officers. After 40 years it now seems right for personal and practical reasons to put this responsibility down in order to focus on other matters and spend time with Jane and the family and explore other opportunities for ministry. I thank everyone in the archdeaconry for their support, prayers, encouragement, commitment, and at times fun and laughter!”
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said, “This is a great loss to the Diocese of York. Richard has given so much to the mission of God in his role as Archdeacon of York. As well as the everyday tasks, he has served on the Mission and Pastoral Committee, steering it through some very difficult decisions. He has been Convenor and Chair of the Diocesan Worship and Music Group and Chair of the Clergy Family Care Group, roles that he performed with grace and aplomb.
“It is, however, as a faithful Parish Priest that Richard has been a real gift to all those who have known him. He is a man with an enormous pastoral heart, not least demonstrated in his involvement with Martin House Hospice. I have personally appreciated his support and service to the Church in this Diocese, and pray that he and Jane will thoroughly enjoy being able to spend time with one another and with God.”
Richard Seed was born on 9 May 1949 in Leeds, attended Edinburgh Theological College, and was ordained in the Diocese of Bradford, to serve his title parish at Christ Church, Skipton. In 1980 Richard became Vicar of St Mary’s Boston Spa where he served for 19 years. During this time, he became Priest-in-Charge of Clifford, Thorp Arch and Walton, and also Rural Dean of New Ainsty. In 1999, Archbishop David Hope invited Richard to become Archdeacon of York, succeeding the Venerable George Austin.
During his time in Boston Spa, Richard was instrumental in the establishment of Martin House Children’s Hospice which cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions. Richard stepped down from his role as Chair and a Trustee at Martin House last Autumn, and was given the title of Founder of the Hospice which celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year.
Richard is married to Jane, and they have four grown up children and two grandchildren. Details of his final service as Archdeacon of York and Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate will be announced in due course.