The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will be joining in the City of York-wide Thy Kingdom Come events this coming weekend.
Archbishop Sentamu said: “This is going to be an amazing weekend of community events and celebrations where people gather to watch the Royal Wedding, the FA Cup Final and to enjoy one another’s company. I always say that the church should be a place of prayer and parties. In the midst of all the celebrations, I pray that we will all have a greater awareness of the presence of God with us because I believe that the greatest party is as part of the Kingdom of Heaven. God himself is our host and we are all invited – see you there!”
This penultimate mission weekend across the Diocese of York coincides with the end of the global wave of prayer movement – Thy Kingdom Come – which is taking place from 10th to 20th May and will come to a close at a Beacon Event to be held at York Minster on Sunday 20 May at 7.30pm.
The mission weekend starts with two school visits on Friday 18 May. Huntington and Fulford Secondary Schools will welcome the Archbishop as he takes part in Q&A sessions and gives short talks to staff and students. At 7.30pm that evening the Archbishop will join young people from across the city at Upstage Theatre, 41 Monkgate, York for a Neon Silent Disco, sharing his journey of faith and offering prayers.
At 8.30am on Saturday 19 May, the day begins with a Men’s Breakfast at Belfrey Hall, 52A Stonegate where the Archbishop will be sharing what a difference his faith in Jesus Christ makes to his life.
At 10.30am Clifton and St Luke’s parishes are hosting a Community Celebration at Vale of York Academy, based on a Royal Wedding theme. There will be a large screen showing of the wedding, bouncy castles, BBQ, climbing wall, face painting, Messy Church Wedding, live music, Bake-off competition, 5-a-side competition and stalls.
Continuing to meet local communities the Archbishop will be at the ‘Match of the Day Party’ at Heworth Vicarage at Melrosegate at 1.30pm. The event will be based around the celebration of the Royal wedding and the FA Cup – two ‘matches’ on this day. With big screen, barbecue, picnic, games and fun. Tang Hall Primary School and Heworth C of E Primary School will also be bringing choirs for a short performance.
At 3pm St Barnabas Church, Jubilee Terrace, is hosting a Spring Event in celebration of the Royal Wedding and Thy Kingdom Come. There will beentertainment, stalls, plant sales, food and drink, and the Royal Wedding will be on a big screen. The Archbishop will be interviewed by the Revd Matt Woodcock before he gives a short talk about the Christian faith.
St Chad’s Church, Campleshon Road, is hosting an evening of sketches by the Roughshod Theatre Company at 7.30pm on the theme of ‘Stories of Hope in troubled times’. The Archbishop will join people here and will give a talk at the beginning of the second half of the evening.
Sunday 20 May, Pentecost, begins at 8am at The Spurriergate Centre in York with a breakfast run by the Kitchen for Everyone Charity which provides meals twice a week for the homeless and lonely in the city. The Archbishop will enjoy a breakfast and chatting to those attending before moving on to St Mary’s Church, 46 The Village, Haxby, for a Eucharist and Renewal of Wedding Vows service at 10.15am. All are welcome to join.
The Archbishop returns to The Belfrey Hall at 5pm on Sunday to meet those attending the Friends International Tea – an opportunity for internationals to meet together in a welcoming environment. (Friends International run an International Cafe every Monday evening in the city centre.) After delivering a short talk to those present the Archbishop will be at the Minster at 7.30pm for the Thy Kingdom Come Beacon Event – an evening of celebration with hundreds expected to attend. All are welcome to come along.
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