The Archdeacon of the East Riding is responsible to the Archbishop of York for the Archdeaconry of the East Riding in the Diocese of York, and will work closely with the Bishop of Hull, the Right Reverend Richard Frith. The Archdeaconry of the East Riding includes much of the East Riding of Yorkshire including the City of Hull, with the addition of Scarborough and coastal villages as far north as Ravenscar, and includes around 200 churches. An Archdeacon is a senior member of the clergy who shares the pastoral care of local clergy and undertakes substantial administrative, legal and practical work across the Archdeaconry.

David Butterfield, 54, is currently Vicar of Lilleshall, Muxton and Sheriffhales (Shropshire) in the Diocese of Lichfield. Lilleshall and Sherriffhales are villages; Muxton is a growing area of new housing at the edge of Telford, and Mr Butterfield was given a specific brief to oversee the building of a new Church and Community Centre there. The Church and Centre opened in 1998. He has also served for nearly ten years as Rural Dean (in effect the senior Vicar in the district) of Edgmond and Shifnal, which includes 24 churches covering a number of villages around Telford.

David Butterfield grew up and was educated in Shipley (where his family ran a business manufacturing watch glasses) and Bradford in the former West Riding of Yorkshire before studying at Royal Holloway College, University of London, gaining a Batchelor of Music degree with Honours in 1973. He studied for ordination in the Church of England at St John's College, Nottingham, and was ordained Deacon in 1977 and Priest in 1978. He served as Curate from 1977 to 1981 at Christ Church, Southport. From 1981 to 1991 he was Minister at St Thomas, Aldridge (Walsall).

He was a Member of the Church of England's General Synod from 1990 until standing down in 2005; was a member of General Synod's Board of Mission from 1995 to 1996; is a member of the Bishop's Council in the Diocese of Lichfield; is Chair of the House of Clergy in the Lichfield Diocesan Synod; and was one of four Representatives elected by Lichfield Diocesan Synod to the Crown Appointments Commission which nominated the present Bishop of Lichfield in 2003.

He attended Sunday School from the age of 5 and joined the choir at the age of eight, but says he became "Properly switched-on as a Christian" through a student holiday when he was 20. He comes from the evangelical tradition, but values and affirms the breadth of traditions and practice in today's Church of England. In addition to his enthusiasm for the Christian Gospel, David Butterfield is an experienced communicator, a committed 'team player' and a lifelong student of the Bible and other Christian writing and thought.

David Butterfield is an accomplished and enthusiastic musician, playing piano and organ when the opportunity arises, although he gave up the tuba when he left his school band. He has composed a number of pieces of church music, and particularly enjoys listening to Mozart's piano concertos. His tastes in church music are broad, including traditional and modern styles. In addition to his musical interests, he enjoys swimming, walking, the company of friends and making marmalade.

David married Irene (a teacher) in 1977 and they have two sons: Thomas (23), a graduate trainee Clinical Scientist with the National Health Service in Leeds; and Jonathan (20), studying for a music degree in Jazz Piano at Trinity College of Music, London.

David Butterfield says, "As a Yorkshireman I feel I'm coming home. The East Riding Archdeaconry has much in common with North Shropshire - a spread-out family of small churches serving scattered communities, and several large population centres with their own urban challenges too. The Church's most important work is done in our parishes, and my aim will be to value and support the clergy and lay leaders in their work and ministry. After 29 years I know something of how demanding - and fulfilling - ministry in a parish can be.

"For me encountering Christ is like discovering treasure - making life rich and satisfying. I'm looking forward to learning with others how we can be more effective in sharing this buried treasure. I'll value the opportunity to learn from Archbishop Sentamu and Bishop Richard, and to work with new colleagues and friends to carry forward the good work laid down by Peter Harrison."

The Bishop of Hull, the Right Reverend Richard Frith, said, "The Archdeacon of the East Riding has a vital job to do in guiding and supporting churches. David comes with real knowledge of the challenges and plenty of ideas and energy for tackling them. He will be warmly welcomed by the chuches of Hull and the East Riding, and I'm greatly looking forward to working with him."

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, says, "In David Butterfield we welcome a man who brings a living faith and a wealth of practical experience to the East Riding. St John's, Muxton, is living proof that he knows how to build a Church! He is an able, creative and thoughtful leader; someone who understands how the Church can relate to people in all walks of life; a caring pastor and an innovator too. It will be exciting for me and for the churches of the East Riding to see him grow into this new role, and the whole family are in our prayers as they prepare for this move."

A date has yet to be announced for David Butterfield to take up his new post but it is likely to be early in 2007.

David Butterfield is available for interview.

For further information contact Martin Sheppard, Diocesan Communications Officer, on 07946 748702.
martin.sheppard@yorkdiocese.org