New Bishop of Grimsby announced
The Diocese of Lincoln is pleased to confirm that 10 Downing Street has today named The Venerable Jean Burgess as the next Bishop of Grimsby.
Read the storyAn urban-rural minister with a great love for our people and places
We are delighted to announce that Eleanor Robertshaw will serve as the next Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey in the Diocese of Lincoln.
Introducing Eleanor
Eleanor has been ordained for over a decade and will bring a wealth of experience and pastoral care to this new role. She has most recently served as Team Rector of Great Snaith in the very north of the Diocese of Sheffield. Her love for our diocese’s character, beauty and close-knit community energy has drawn her to be at the heart of our common life.
Eleanor’s journey to ministry
Before ordination, Eleanor worked as a teacher at a multi-ethnic school in Rotherham. This gave her a wide and enduring breadth of teaching ability, pastoral care and leadership.
During this time, she continued to faithfully follow God’s call to ministry within the Church of England – a process of discovery which began in her early teenage years and has remained a lifelong calling.
After training for priesthood on what was then the Yorkshire Ministry Course, Eleanor was ordained in 2010 and served her curacy in a former pit village north of Doncaster. She then began her ministry as Team Rector of Great Snaith, leading varied contexts and worship styles in Great Snaith while supporting the development of curates in the parish.
A role ready for Eleanor
Eleanor expresses an admiration for the agricultural rhythms and beautiful landscapes of Greater Lincolnshire, which feel familiar to her current parish. Her experience in both urban and rural ministry will inspire collaboration across our diocese and nurture unique expressions of faithful worship in our church communities.
Life as a parish priest is challenging and often demanding, which prompted Eleanor’s desire to support all members of our lay and ordained friends to fully realise their gifts and abilities as beacons of Christ’s light.
Encouraged by family, friends and colleagues, Eleanor discerned a call to senior leadership, especially during her time on the ‘Leading Women’ course, which began in 2020. A recent sabbatical opportunity in Manchester Diocese also gave her a valuable insight into the responsibilities of diocesan leadership.
Putting relationships first
Eleanor brings a host of important skills and talents to the role of Archdeacon. Her instinct to place relationships at the heart of how we live, work and worship will bring a strong pastoral presence to her ministry. She has extended this care into offering supervision for curates and support for self-supporting ministers and Focal Ministers.
“I believe one of the greatest gifts God has given me is building relationships. I just love people.”
She also has a lived understanding of alleviating the challenges faced by struggling urban settings and isolated rural communities, as well as navigating the demands and challenges of education and youth engagement. It will be welcomed as we look to encourage all generations to meet and follow Christ.
On a national scale, Eleanor carries experience as a clergy representative at the Church of England’s General Synod and has been involved in various committees that encourage the wellbeing of clergy and lay leaders.
The new Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey’s vision
Eleanor is looking forward to building relationships and discovering the unique charism of all the places she will serve. She is keen to support clergy and lay leaders with a strong pastoral presence, balanced with a strategy and vision where people are listened to first.
Her ministry will hold a particular awareness of family diversity, young people and the marginalised. She wants to be an advocate for local voices.
Eleanor’s personal life
Eleanor has a deep belief in God’s surprising work to bring all things together for his good and pleasing will. She often reflects on Psalm 139, a guiding passage of scripture for her: “We are all fearfully and wonderfully made”. She also leans on Matthew 19:26: “With God all things are possible”.
“You look at what God is doing, especially in Greater Lincolnshire, and find the courage to get involved. Well, I’m ready to join in.”
She is married to Paul, who is a retired Level Crossing Engineer. Eleanor enjoys relaxing through creative hobbies such as knitting and needlework. She also completes park runs and the occasional wild swimming challenge. Recently, she rediscovered her love of reading novels.
It is with mixed emotions that she leaves her parish ministry, but she is very excited to see where God is leading her next.
Looking ahead
Eleanor will begin her role as Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey with a service of collation taking place on Monday January 26, 2026 at Gainsborough All Saints Church from 7pm.
Please join us in praying for her and her family as she prepares to embark on this exciting new journey.