Barry Hill
LightNews LightNews
banner
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Barry Hill
@bishopbarry.bsky.social
530 followers 180 following 430 posts
Hope, grace, life. #bhafc. Bishop of Whitby. Serving across the Diocese of York, especially from #Middlesbrough & the Tees to the Vale of Pickering, & Thirsk to Whitby. Chair of Board of Education. Geriatric millennial.
Posts Replies Media Videos
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Final meeting today of the HE and FE Taskgroup, which I have had the joy of chairing, considering how @dioceseofyork.bsky.social can better support students in mission and ministry. Inspiring group of diverse experience. Looking forward to its publication and implementation in 2026.
November 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
If this is correct, this is such very good news. It will make a proper and tangible difference to so many families in Middlesbrough, for whom the limit has caused untold poverty and pain.
katieschmuecker.bsky.social Katie Schmuecker @katieschmuecker.bsky.social · 4d
Yes! @thetimes.com reporting the two child limit will go in full.

Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.

The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.

Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
Excerpt from article, reads: Another source said the cost per child of ending the cap was actually cheaper than any of the other options modelled, as the long-term benefits would lead to significant savings. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said abolishing the cap could take 630,000 children out of absolute poverty, defined as households with an income 60 per cent below the median average. Papers prepared for ministers before the publication of the child poverty strategy in the days after the budget suggest that the government will link the ending of the cap to improved educational outcomes for children, leading to greater earnings in adulthood, and ultimately meaning higher tax receipts.
November 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Quite the choir for tonight’s Solemn Evensong at St Lawrence’s York @dioceseofyork.bsky.social as we explored what the Kingship of Christ looks like amidst the current waters in which we find ourselves. Cracking music, lovely community, good wine, fabulous evening.
A choir of 40 people robed at the back of church
November 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by Barry Hill
dioceseofyork.bsky.social
"God is the one that we pray, 'stir up our wills', but it is OUR wills. It is our faithfulness in response to God's call that we're asking God to stir." 🥄

@bishopbarry.bsky.social reflects on The Feast of Christ the King and Stir Up Sunday - the last Sunday before Advent: vimeo.com/1138129464
The Rt Revd Barry Hill reflects on The Feast of Christ the King
The Rt Revd Barry Hill, Bishop of Whitby, reflects on The Feast of Christ the King.
vimeo.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Much joy at confirmations in Sowerby @dioceseofyork.bsky.social this morning.

On the feast of Christ the King their hand knitted donkey proved an unexpected visual aid as to the contrast between the Kingship of Christ & the Roman Empire whose leaders arrived on specially bred stallions instead.
Confirmands, clergy, a donkey and me stand for a photo by the altar
November 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
A hugely encouraging day teaching and facilitating on sustainability for leaders of new churches @dioceseofyork.bsky.social at Bishopthorpe. So many stories of God at work, often amidst much fragility.
November 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Fabulous. We'll be doing exactly the same after the blessing at a service of confirmation in Sowerby tomorrow morning (apart from Crown Him with Many Crowns and confirmation candles instead of EDM and flashing lights). All welcome. Kicks off at 10:30am.
vuc.bsky.social David✶🇬🇹 @vuc.bsky.social · 7d
He said "Amen" straight into the drop

Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Looking for something on hotels.com, rather enjoying that a hotel in Durham has two deluxe rooms, identical except one is 'Cathedral View' and the other 'Methodist Church View'. The latter is £20 more per a night. Wonder how comparative prices for different denominational views are decided?! 😉
November 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Food and faith. My interview for the Christmas edition of Yorkshire Life...

@dioceseofyork.bsky.social @yorkminster.bsky.social
The front cover of Yorkshire Life Something in Yorkshire that makes you smile at Christmas time Middlesbrough top of the Championship is a prayer and a hope, but as a long time Brighton fan I know well when it comes to football, it’s the optimism that kills us. A place you love to go for a family feast We’re quite an eclectic family when it comes to food and even more for the big celebrations. Stack in Middlesbrough or Five Guys at Teesside retail park is quite the treat for our teenagers. We had a wonderful birthday meal recently at Chadwicks Inn in Maltby, with its emphasis on local food done well. I’ve been hosting events for community and charity leaders in partnership with the Waterside Brasserie at Middlesbrough College, where catering students do the cooking, which is excellent. When friends come to stay, we love gathering around the dinner table for a good family roast, ideally some lamb with Yorkshire puddings the size of Mowbray We haven’t yet been but have Hansom in Bedale on our wishlist. A festive childhood memory We were always a plastic tree household growing up. That day when you are finally allowed to get the tree down from the loft and cover the house in tinsel was always a highlight. As a family now we have made a tradition to choose a tree from a local Christmas tree farm, although it will be odd this year with our son just having left for university. It sounds more rose tinted than the reality as there’s always some ‘disagreement’ as our daughter advocates for a tree which would dwarf Roseberry Topping and not fit in our garden let alone sitting room! The rest is too large to fit in the text box given but do message for a full version
November 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Blessed 36 hrs with denominational leaders across the North East, as we recommit ourselves to the Ampleforth Covenant our predecessors signed, with an annual retreat to pray for the region(though, as the snow falls, even the bust of Newman looked to be shivering) @dioceseofyork.bsky.social
The text of the covenant, signed Ampleforth in the snow, an old bulding on one side and winding road on the other A sculpture of Newman, in the heavy snow
November 20, 2025 at 8:54 AM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
What a beautiful sight albeit probably not a great day to be driving across the moors the day after a puncture meant I had to change back from winter to summer tyres ❄️
Snow falling heavily with trees in the background
November 19, 2025 at 10:26 AM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Good to join with Bishop Stephen Race this evening to mark the patronal festival of St Hilda of Whitby in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, with three young men being confirmed. Alleluia!
November 17, 2025 at 10:37 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Critical @skynewsrss.bsky.social report from Middlesbrough on child poverty, inc highlighting the excellent work of St Barnabas Community Grocer and Barnie's Baby Bank, to which you can donate here: account.stewardship.org.uk/gift/start/b...
@dioceseofyork.bsky.social

news.sky.com/story/inside...
Inside the town where 6 out of 7 children grow up in poverty - and live in fear of homelessness
As ministers prepare to act on child poverty, families in the area are backing calls for the two-child cap on benefits to be scrapped, and even local children say they are worried about becoming homel...
news.sky.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
A really key post for us. Might God be calling you or someone you know...
dioceseofyork.bsky.social Diocese of York @dioceseofyork.bsky.social · 10d
We're seeking a Director of Mission and Ministry to lead and inspire our efforts to grow vibrant, sustainable missional communities.

Applications close at midnight on 14th December.

Find out more and apply: dioceseofyork.org.uk/vacancies/di...

#ChurchJobs #MissionAndMinistry #Leadership
November 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by Barry Hill
dioceseofyork.bsky.social
Today is #SafeguardingSunday and the start of our Diocesan #SafeguardingWeek.

It’s a biblical mandate to care for the vulnerable. Today, we thank those who are working tirelessly to keep us safe, and remind ourselves that #safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Amazing news that @teessideuni.bsky.social has won @thetimes.com University of The Year. A hugely significant and much deserved recognition! My letter of congrats on behalf of @dioceseofyork.bsky.social to the Vice-Chancellor, Staff and Students:

www.tees.ac.uk/sections/new...
Dear Paul, Congratulations on Teesside University winning University of the Year award at the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards last night. This is massive! Even in my first year living in Middlesbrough, I have seen first-hand, and on countless occasions, what the judges described as a ‘clear sense of mission’ and how staff are an ‘unashamedly ambitious for its students’. This is a hugely significant award is much deserved by all who work so hard day in day out to serve students and their households. That over 60% of students at Teesside University are Teessiders, I believe one of the highest nationally, only adds to the importance for our community of such a recognition. It was good to see this further recognised in the University also being shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category, and being recently rated as Outstanding by Ofsted in all areas of apprenticeship provision. Coming hot on the heels of securing the Turner Prize at MIMA next Autumn, Teesside Uni is rapidly securing ‘place to be’ status. We are delighted as churches to continue to serve and support students and staff at Teesside University and be assured of our continued prayers. Please pass our congratulations and prayers on to staff and students. It was good to catch up briefly at the Cenotaph last Sunday and am glad Warren and Laura are representing the uni at the Bishop’s Boro Big Breakfast in a few weeks, where we will also acknowledge such this great achievement. Barry Hill Bishop of Whitby
November 15, 2025 at 9:53 AM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
"The only clue to what man can do is what man has done"
R.J. Collingwood

Harrowing and necessary, Nuremberg is well worth a watch as we have to learn the lessons afresh in each generation.
November 14, 2025 at 11:30 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Needing to change up my hairstyle of three decades. Wonderful hairdresser Angela asked what I'd like it to look like. Slightly sheepishly searched up a picture of Vicky McClure in S3 Trigger Point. Fair to say a lively salon wide conversation ensued but with a few months growing it's on its way...
November 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Barry Hill
dioceseofyork.bsky.social
📆 17th-21st November is Diocesan Safeguarding Week.

We have a packed programme of online sessions on topics including domestic abuse, racism, and modern slavery, with input from IDAS, Thirtyone:eight, and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

Book your place today (link below). 👇
November 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
My only sadness was there wasn't time to answer all EIGHTY ONE questions three members of the school parliament had prepared in writing for me (some based on considerable research). If ever you need interview prep, I can recommend them! V thorough.
bishopbarry.bsky.social Barry Hill @bishopbarry.bsky.social · 14d
Such an encouraging morning at Coatham CofE School, part of Galileo Trust - time in collective worship & hearing from young people who lead it, visiting each class, meeting teachers, Chair of Govs, Trust CEO and Head - what a fabulous school, led with kindness, passion and the voice of young people.
November 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Such an encouraging morning at Coatham CofE School, part of Galileo Trust - time in collective worship & hearing from young people who lead it, visiting each class, meeting teachers, Chair of Govs, Trust CEO and Head - what a fabulous school, led with kindness, passion and the voice of young people.
November 13, 2025 at 4:15 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
Good to meet with the Chairs of North Yorks Council, Westmoreland & Furness Council and Cumberland Council, before offering a reflection & prayer at start the North Yorks Council meeting. May we continue to hold our elected representatives & council staff in our prayers @dioceseofyork.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
It's been deeply moving to be contacted by individuals and churches looking to help. The church has now set up a page for contributions here: givealittle.co/c/209a83ba-5... or if your gift is bigger do contact them or I direct and we'll find the best way to take it off your hands. Thank you.
November 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
It was good to see this article from our local Teesside paper following up the same deprivation stats that I have written about below, 'I wouldn't live anywhere else': www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teessid...
November 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
bishopbarry.bsky.social
A poignant Remembrance Sunday at the Middlesbrough Cenotaph as we recalled and gave thanks for the sacrifices of so many and prayed for peace around our world today:
www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teessid...
94 poignant images as Teessiders pay respects at Remembrance Sunday services
In towns and villages people of all ages came together in memory of the fallen
www.gazettelive.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM