The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, along with local church leaders, will be baptising Christians from different denominations on the Saturday before Easter, 19th April. 13 people 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 eighth year of our outdoor baptisms, when people come to make a public commitment to following Jesus Christ. I encountered Jesus Christ when I was 10 years old, and I knew I had to follow him whatever the challenges. Faith in the God revealed in Jesus Christ is always a risk, you never quite know how things will work out but they always do!
“Seeking an encounter with God is different for everyone and there are lots of stepping stones along the way. There is no one size that fits all. I often hear others describing how they felt nudged, or signposted along the way. Sometimes this nudging goes on for some years, before they make the step forward to receive God’s life freely given in Jesus Christ, come what may. If you want to be baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection, and haven’t been before, come along to the Minster on Holy Saturday! All are invited; bring a towel and take your step forward in faith!”
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.