As many of you will now know, it is with deep sadness that we share news of the death of a beloved member of our church family, the Revd Canon John Rendall, who died in St Leonard’s Hospice on 16 June aged 81.

John was ordained deacon on Trinity Sunday, 9 June 1968, in Portsmouth Cathedral, and priest on 1 June 1969. In 1977 John moved north to the Diocese of York to serve in a number of parishes in the New Ainsty Deanery, where he remained for the duration of his distinguished ministry, and was made a Canon of York Minster in 1994.

John retired from parish ministry in 2008 but continued to take services and support parishes as and where needed.

He moved to Dringhouses in 2009 where he soon became actively involved in the life and ministry of St James the Deacon, Acomb Moor. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee of priestly ordination in 2019 (pictured). 

John was always full of life and joy and energy and was a man of many talents – turning his hand to almost anything and everything – from playing the organ, to mowing the church grass, to arranging the flowers! 

We give grateful and heartfelt thanks to God for the blessing John has been among us throughout his long and faithful ministry as a priest in Christ’s Church.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory. 

Please hold John’s partner, Matt, their family, and all who grieve in your prayers in the coming days. 

Details of John’s funeral service will be circulated as soon as they have been finalised.