St Helen, Bilton in Ainsty

The Vicarage 48 Church Lane Bishopthorpe York YO23 2QG The Rt Revd Flora Winfield DD Bishop of Selby [email protected] Sent via email To: Churchwardens of Bilton St Helen - Tony Holmes Healaugh St John the Baptist – Alastair Lawson-Tancred; Rachel Brammar Moor Monkton All Saints – Kathryn Wright Wighill All Saints – Janice Quinn Copy to: The Dean and Chapter of York, Patrons Revd Canon Timothy Goode Sandra Hirst Archdeacon of York – The Ven Liz Hassall The Rev’d Linda Maslen Area Dean of New Ainsty – Rev Nick Morgan Lay Dean of New Ainsty – Rachel Reid CONFIDENTIAL Dear Friends FOR Sunday 18th January 2026 Vicar of Rural Ainsty Greetings for this Epiphany season. I am delighted to be able to announce today that the Rev’d Linda Maslen has accepted the appointment as the Vicar of Rural Ainsty, in the Diocese of York. Linda will be leading Rural Ainsty in this important next phase of their life together in mission. I know that Linda will be a committed and innovative partner in the wider life of these parish communities, and that she will be a prayerful and compassionate pastor, teacher and preacher, deepening discipleship and leading in mission. I will be praying for Linda, and for these communities, as they continue to grow together in faith, life, witness and service in their shared calling to live Christ’s story. Linda is currently serving as Leader of Fountains Church, Bradford, in the Diocese of Leeds, where she has been developing ministry with people on the margins, nurturing new worshipping communities, and equipping disciples for everyday faith and service as she leads a vibrant and outward-facing church plant. Linda says “I’m excited to be joining the Rural Ainsty churches and to share together in God’s mission in these communities. In my visits I’ve been struck by the rich and long history of worship across these churches and villages, and by the faithful way that prayer and praise have been sustained through many generations. I’m looking forward to listening, learning, and praying with you, and to discerning together how we can continue to grow in hospitality, discipleship, and hope as we live out Christ’s story in this next season and how we can share this well with our local communities.” For the Churchwardens, please would you announce this appointment during worship on Sunday 18th January 2026. The news remains confidential until then. Linda will be taking up the appointment in June, following her long-planned Study Leave. Arrangements for her Licensing Service will be agreed with this office in consultation with the Acting Archdeacon of York, the Area Dean and the churchwardens. If there is anything I can do to be of help or support in the meantime, then please do not hesitate to be in touch. Please be assured of my tremendous appreciation of all that has contributed to the well being and growth of these communities during the long vacancy. Thank you so much to all who have carried this responsibility with such joy and faithfulness, With blessings and grace, and with prayers as we begin this new chapter in ministry, Rt Revd Flora Winfield DD Bishop of Selby