During his time as rector, the congregation grew and he supported the setting up of a food bank covering West Northumberland.

They had been invited to sing at a mass in St. Peter's Basilica, in celebration of the 1300th anniversary of the death of St Wilfrid.

[12][13] From 2017 to 2023 he was a member of the International Commission for Anglican Orthodox Theological Dialogue contributing to agreed statements about the environment, euthanasia and organ transplantation.

In March 2021 the Archbishop of Canterbury announced that Usher would be the Church of England's lead bishop for the environment.

[20] Usher was appointed Lord High Almoner by King Charles III in November 2024,[21] an office in the Royal Households of the United Kingdom.

[22] In November 2023, he was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".

Between 2008 and 2010, he was a member of the Forestry Commission's Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for the North East of England.

[25] He stood down from his role with the Forestry commission following the announcement that he would be joining the episcopate and leaving the North East.

[26] In April 2009, he was appointed a member of the Northumberland National Park Authority by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

[27][28] In April 2013, he was re-appointed by the Secretary of State to the Northumberland National Park Authority, his previous term having ended, but resigned when he moved from the North East.

From March 2016 until November 2020 he was a member of the Human Tissue Authority, appointed by the Secretary of State for Health.