Plough Celebrations at Easingwold

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will be joining the people of Easingwold Deanery from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 January for a weekend of celebration, witness and blessing to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all.

The Archbishop said, “This weekend of mission is a great opportunity for Christians to invite their friends, family and work colleagues to hear for themselves about the love of God as seen in Jesus Christ. We are called to share the good news with others and this is a chance to do just that – come and join me and invite others to find out more about Jesus”

On Friday morning, the Archbishop starts off the mission weekend at Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy at Strensall to lead an assembly with Key Stage 2 pupils before calling into Key Stage 1 classrooms. He will then visit Skelton Primary School for a whole-school assembly and lunch. In the afternoon, the Archbishop will visit Linton-on-Ouse Primary School for a Q & A session before he joins the ‘Ignite’ Youth group in Easingwold Parish Rooms for a talk and to encourage young people in their journey of faith.

Saturday begins with an 8am men’s breakfast and a talk in Kurt’s Bar at Easingwold Galtres Centre before the Archbishop heads out to Easingwold Market Square. At 11am, the Archbishop will be blessing the newly re-opened Rose and Crown at Sutton on the Forest*, saved for the village by the village. Lunch at the Village Hall in Brandsby* follows at around midday where the Archbishop will be sharing about his faith in Jesus. At 4pm, a family fun session is taking place at Easingwold Parish Rooms, Tanpit Lane – all are welcome to attend.

There will be a Quiznight* and Q & A session chaired by The Reverend Matt Woodcock (author of Becoming Reverend – A Diary) at the Easingwold Galtres Centre on Saturday evening from 7 – 9pm. There are no costs to attend– but those events marked with * are ticketed entry, please email Mrs C Colbourne: deanery.coord@btinternet.com to attend.

On Sunday morning the rural community will gather together for a Plough Sunday service at St Leonard’s Church in Farlington at 11.15am followed by light refreshments – all are welcome. The weekend will finish with a Churches Together service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at 2.30pm held at Easingwold Church – an opportunity for all parishes in Alne, Brafferton, Tollerton, Coxwold, Husthwaite, Crayke, Brandsby, Easingwold, Raskelf, Skelton, Shipton, Newton-on-Ouse, Strensall, Farlington, Sheriff Hutton, Stillington and Sutton-on-the-Forest to join together.

Look out for other events taking place over this weekend of mission which include: Stillington Methodist Church 3.30-4.45pm Friday ‘Explorers’ – Christian After School Club; The Ship Inn Strensall Men’s Breakfast with Greg Hoyland Saturday morning; Easingwold Methodist Church 12-noon Saturday Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; and guest preachers at local parish churches.

The mission in the Deanery of Easingwold is the second in a series which will see the Archbishop go back on the road to join all 21 deaneries in the Diocese of York throughout 2017 and 2018.

For photos of the Rose and Crown blessing at Sutton on the Forest or for media enquiries relating to the Archbishop of York, please email: Elizabeth.addy@archbishopofyork.org or at tel. 01904 772365