Diocese of York / News & events / News

Archbishop Sentamu, will be joining the Advent preparations for Christmas in schools, churches and around the communities of South Wold Deanery (Market Weighton and surrounding villages) over the weekend 15th – 17th December.

The Deanery Mission weekend begins at 9.15am on Friday morning in Wilberfoss at St John the Baptist Church where Archbishop Sentamu will join the Revd Aysha St Giles, Bishop of Selby Dr John Thomson and parishioners for a short service of Morning Prayer.

The Archbishop will walk to Wilberfoss Church of England Primary School where he will lead a 20-minute act of Collective Worship followed by a question-and-answer session with the School Council. He will meet with the school staff over coffee and take the opportunity to enjoy some of the children’s Christmas activity work.

At 11.00am Dr Sentamu will arrive at St Martin’s Church of England Primary School, Fangfoss, where he will lead an act of Collective Worship and questions and answers with older children. He will meet with staff and parents over coffee.

Archbishop Sentamu will arrive at Woldgate School and Sixth Form College, Pocklington, where he will join a discussion with students who have received the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust Award (www.archbishopofyorkyouthtrust.co.uk). After lunch with students of Woldgate and its partner primary schools, the Archbishop will join pupils preparing for the School Carol Concert where he will listen to the School Choir and join a drumming group and a drama rehearsal. Archbishop Sentamu will go on to join pupils in an RE lesson, to listen to and discuss their presentations. At 2.40pm he will plant a tree in the new school orchard with the Head Girl and Boy.

At 3.45pm Dr Sentamu will join an event for families and young people at St John the Baptist Church, Stamford Bridge. After a question-and-answer session, crafts and refreshments, there will be an informal act of worship prepared and led by young people, including the making and lighting of Christingles, and the Archbishop will give a short talk.

In the evening at 7.30pm Archbishop Sentamu will attend a Carol Service at St Michael’s Church, Thornton, where members of other local churches will join the growing congregation.

On Saturday 16th December Dr Sentamu will join the Revd Jan Hardy and parishioners for prayers at Barmby Moor Village Hall, staying on for a coffee morning at which he will give a short talk.

At 11.30am the Archbishop will arrive at Tesco, Market Weighton, where he will meet staff and customers, sharing in the Christmas atmosphere.

Following lunch in a local café, Archbishop Sentamu will celebrate Holy Communion and preach for residents, friends and visitors in a service at Northgate House Nursing Home, York Road in Market Weighton. They include Nora who was a Methodist Lay Preacher for many years, and Ester, a former missionary with the Church Mission Society.

Gillian Barker of Northgate House said, “We’re all looking forward to Archbishop Sentamu’s visit; our residents will be very happy to see him and I know they’re looking forward to taking part in the service he will be leading here.”

At 3.30pm the Archbishop will arrive to spend an hour at Langlands Garden Centre, Shiptonthorpe, where he will have the opportunity to mingle with staff and customers including in the café, and give a short Christmas message over the internal tannoy.

The Revd Shelagh Jones of Shiptonthorpe said, “Langlands is Shiptonthorpe's major employer and a favourite stopping place in East Yorkshire, situated as it is at the junction of two of the county's busiest roads, so Archbishop Sentamu will meet a wide variety of people there. I’m sure they will be pleased to see him and be open to think about what he has to say – and he might pick up a Christmas decoration or two as well.”

At 7.30pm Dr Sentamu will participate in a Carol Service at St Catherine’s Church, Barmby Moor.

On Sunday 19th December Archbishop Sentamu will lead worship at St Botolph’s Church, Allerthorpe, before presiding at a Eucharist Service for the Deanery of South Wold at All Saints’ Church, Market Weighton, at 10.30am. The Archbishop will finish his weekend in South Wold Deanery by preaching at a 3.00pm Carol Service in All Saints’ Church, Londesborough.