Welcome to Ripon Deanery, one of the six Deaneries that make up the Ripon Episcopal Area in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds.

We are a community of small, rural parishes rooted in the beauty and challenge of countryside ministry. Here, parish life is at the heart of who we are. As a Deanery, our purpose is to serve and support our parishes—cherishing their smallness not as a weakness, but as a distinctive strength. We recognise the pressures that small communities face, and we exist to stand alongside them—encouraging, nurturing, and affirming them just as they are. In Ripon Deanery, we believe that faithfulness, not size, is the mark of flourishing.

Our Deanery Prayer

Loving and merciful God,
Bless the Ripon Deanery with your love and compassion.
Unite us in our parishes, that we may serve together
and nurture disciples for your Kingdom.
Equip our clergy and congregations with the gifts they need,
and breathe new life into our churches,
that they may be places of welcome that reflect your glory.
Renew and guide us by your Spirit, that we may live out our faith
— in our parishes and in our daily lives —
in ways that bring blessing to others.
Help and guide us to care together for the earth and its resources,
honouring your creation.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

We are encouraged to be praying as a Deanery – for our ongoing mission and ministry together.  Please consider the following ideas to get yourself, others you know, and your churches, started:

• Commit to praying for the Deanery.
• If you have a parish newsletter or church notice sheet, write something asking people to pray for the Deanery and include our Deanery Prayer.
• Talk to a member of clergy, PCC and/or whoever organises the intercessions on a Sunday morning and encourage them to include the Deanery Prayer.

Please remember that praying doesn’t have to be wordy. Let us just pray!