ArchbishopArchbishop Bishop who also presides over a group of dioceses or provinces. Stephen Cottrell hopped on board a bus to bless its use for ministry in Dewsbury as he outlined plans to celebrate stories of faithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. in the north, and help renew the missionaryMissionary Someone sent out to share religious faith. purpose of the Church in the North over the coming years.
The Archbishop held a launch event for Faith in the North at Dewsbury Minster today which is St PaulinusPaulinus, St Bishop of York 627-644. Sent to England with Saint Augustine. Accompanied Queen Ethelburga north on her marriage to King Edwin of Northumbria. Converted King Edwin and the Northumbrians in 627 and founded the first York Minster. Day in the Church’s calendar, remembering the life of the saintSaint In the New Testament applied to all Christians. Later used of those who were martyred or showed exceptional holiness and whose status was confirmed by the church. The practice of venerating the saints and their relics and asking for their intercessions (prayers) can be observed from the second and third centuries onward and played a central role in popular medieval religion. who established the Church of Saint Peter in YorkYork 1. A Roman city and early centre of Christianity. 2. Diocese and province under the leadership of the Archbishop of York. in the year 627 and who became the first bishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain of York. Archbishop Stephen, now the 98th Archbishop of York, led a time of prayer in the Chapel at Dewsbury MinsterMinster Originally a church with a group of clergy which served a large area. Later used to describe a church staffed by many priests or a monastic community dedicated to St Paulinus. He was joined by many church leaders from across the North.
Archbishop Stephen said: “The purpose of marking the missionMission 1. A group of people sent out to share religious faith. 2. The task of sharing faith. of Paulinus is not to look back, but to look forwards, and to learn from some of the features of mission in Anglo Saxon times and the spiritualitySpirituality Term used to describe the experiential dimensions of religion, encompassing aspects such as prayer, meditation, contemplation, and mysticism. which shaped it. Exploring our spiritual roots in this way offers a wonderful opportunity to share the ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. faith in churches, schools and in all the communities we serve. Under a banner of ‘Faith in the North’ and working with others in all our dioceses in the Church of England, I am encouraging similar patterns of mission, celebrating our faith stories from the great Northern Saints of the past and from today’s church. In doing this, I hope we can equip the Church for its service and mission today, find ways of reaching out to others, and plant new Christian communities.”
Earlier today, Archbishop Stephen joined in Morning Prayer at Wakefield CathedralCathedral (Latin cathedra' throne') Church which contains the throne of the bishop and hence the mother church of the diocese, and later walked from Christ Church South Ossett to Dewsbury Minster, calling in and blessing the outreach ministry of Destination 211 Bus along the way. This is part of Archbishop Stephen’s teaching and preaching ministry, praying along the routes he walks with others.
Rev Neil Walpole, Associate Priest Dewsbury Team ParishParish Area with its own church, served by a priest who has the spiritual care of all those living within it. The system evolved gradually, reaching completion by the 13th century said: “Destination 211 bus ministry reaches out to communities that struggle from high deprivation with the love of JesusJesus (Greek form of Hebrew 'Joshua' meaning 'Yahweh [God] is salvation') Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded mainly in the Four Gospels although he is also mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus (c. 37-c.100) and the Roman historian Tacitus (c.110).. It provides a warm space and a listening ear for the community in winter as well as offering emergency food. It is an after school drop in where real discipleship takes place with craft and a Bible study for parents and children, and we have our worshipWorship 1. Doing homage and giving honour and respect to God. The Bible includes a wide range of physical expression in worship, including bowing down, lifting hands, dancing, processions and singing. The main day on which Christians gather for communal worship is Sunday (the day when Christ is believed to have risen from the dead). 2. Christian liturgy including sung material and prayers of thanksgiving and praise. ‘Thrive on the bus’, where all can learn and grow in faith. This is an important and practical outreach especially to Chickenley which no longer has a church building nearby. Time and time again we see children sprint down the hill with parents following to join us for drinks, cakes, conversations and to hear the good news of Jesus.”