Archbishop Sentamu and local church leaders will be baptising Christians from different denominations on the Saturday before Easter, 4th April. Candidates from local churches will be baptised outside York Minster by being totally immersed in a large tank of water, from 2.30pm.
Archbishop Sentamu said, “This is the tenth year of our outdoor baptisms, but each year is an exciting occasion. Every year is different, because every year we hear different stories of why people are committing their lives to Jesus Christ. No-one’s story is the same, people come to know God in many different ways, but there is always one element running through every story: these people have discovered that God loves them unconditionally, and they want to publicly commit their lives to Jesus Christ. I think they are truly brave, making this commitment in front of the whole City of York, in the Yorkshire spring weather! Please join with me in praying for them as they are welcomed into the family of God.”
The service of baptism has been organised by One Voice York, a network of Christian churches and leaders of different denominations working together across the city.
The Archbishop of York and the candidates’ own church leader will be in the water to baptise all candidates. Joint Chair of One Voice York, Graham Hutchinson, will ask each person and all those watching to affirm their faith before the baptisms. When the candidates come out of the water they will be prayed for by all the church leaders.
Graham Hutchinson said, “Although different churches put emphasis on different parts of faith, we are all part of the same family of Jesus Christ. Baptism is one of the most important points in a Christian’s life: it’s when they commit to following Jesus. These Easter Baptisms are always a highlight of my year, as Christians from different denominations come together to welcome new believers into Jesus’ family.”