The Revd Canon John Dobson, currently serving in the Diocese of Durham, was introduced last week as the choice for the new Dean of Ripon, following the death of the Very Revd Keith Jukes last year. John (49) is currently Vicar of Blackwell All Saints and Salutation, and Priest-in-Charge of Coniscliffe. He also serves as Area Dean of Darlington - read more about him here.. 

Senior Church Leaders from across West Yorkshire have come together to express their shared concern for food justice. In the context of public Ash Wednesday prayer together in the shopping precinct outside Wakefield Cathedral, WYEC leaders expressed their commitment to a society without hunger. At the same time churches were encouraged to show generosity by giving away food and St Martin's Potternewton gave fruit and biscuits to passers-by at Chapeltown Road (pictured)  - for a full report on the WYEC website click here. 

Lee Jackson is a motivational speaker and presentation coach. He is also a Street Angel and the son of the late Rev. Peter Jackson and so is well placed to teach and understand vicars

communication skills :) On Weds 2nd April, Lee will be leading a session open to all licensed ministers on Presentation Skills from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm at the Diocesan Office, Leeds. More details here

Local congregations and clergy from across the region have been having their say and there are still some meetings to come to help shape the agenda for the new diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. With the Bishop of Pontefract, the Rt Rev Tony Robinson or the Bishop of Knaresborough, the Rt Rev James Bell - both of whom will become area bishops in the new diocese on the Appointed Day at Easter. More details of where your nearest meeting is by clicking here. 

With just under 100 days to go before the Tour de France comes to the diocese, the Sanctuary Centre has produced a free booklet to use throughout the 100 day festival from 27 March - 5 July and beyond with topical prayer points, liturgy and more. With a daily prayer plan, topical prayers and prayers for use in services including the Lord's Prayer in French this is a great resource for churches and individuals.. Click here

For the latest information and church news go to the diocesan website. The website is an essential home page with links to resources, a section for subscribing to the e-bulletin and you can read the latest printed 'Together' on the home page.

The online Diocesan Directory is automatically updated and the list of names can now be filtered by categories to speed up the process. Quickly find the email, phone number or address of anyone in an official church role