York Minster welcomes new appointment to Chapter of York
York Minster is preparing to welcome Dr Richard Shephard MBE to its governing body following his appointment on Wednesday (17 June) as a Lay Canon by the Archbishop of York.
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu will appoint Dr Shephard as a Lay Member of the Chapter of York, the executive body responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of York Minster.
His role, which is for an initial term of three years, will be to work with Clergy and Lay colleagues on Chapter to devise and implement Minster policies and strategic plans, contributing his substantial expertise and knowledge to Chapter’s discussions and decisions about the major issues of the day.
Dr Shephard has had a long and distinguished career in music and education, for which he was appointed MBE in 2012. He has served the Minster in a succession of senior roles since 1985, including Headmaster of the Minster School and Chamberlain of York Minster. Dr Shephard was Director of Development for the York Minster Fund for 11 years before retiring in August 2014 and is the musical director for the York Minster Mystery Plays production, which will be performed in 2016.
Dr Shephard has served on the Archbishops’ Commission on Cathedrals and on the Church Music Commission on Cathedrals; he is a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music. As a composer he is perhaps best known for his choral works which are sung extensively around the world and his compositions are broadcast frequently.
The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of York, said: “The Chapter of York is delighted to welcome Richard to the team. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to the role and we look forward to utilising this to help develop the mission and ministry of York Minster and to fulfil Chapter’s strategic vision for the future shape of the Minster’s work over the next three years.”
Dr Shephard will be Collated to the Canonry and Prebend of Newthorpe by the Archbishop on Wednesday (17 June) at Bishopthorpe Palace. He will subsequently be Admitted to the Chapter of York and to the Minster’s College of Canons by the Dean during a private ceremony at the Minster on Monday 29 June, followed by his Installation in the Quire during the Solemn Eucharist service at 5.15pm, to which all are very warmly invited.
ENDS
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