Almost 500 clergy and lay leaders gathered at the University of York from 23 to 25 July for Called and Sent, our first residential diocesan conference in over a decade.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for three days of worship, learning, conversation, and shared reflection. Together, we explored how we can become more like Christ, reach people who are not yet connected with the Church, grow as communities of missionary disciples, and ensure that our finances and structures better support our mission.
Learning and worshipping together
The Rt Revd Michael Curry, former Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, joined us live by video link after ill health prevented him from travelling to York. Through keynote talks and panel discussions, Bishop Curry reflected on becoming more like Christ, sharing our faith, growing as missionary disciples and the transforming power of love.
We also heard from education leader Sonia Thompson, who helped us consider how the Church’s finances and structures can better serve its mission, and the Rt Revd Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, who spoke about reaching people as yet unconnected with the Church.
A wide-ranging programme of practical seminars explored ministry in low-income and rural communities, work with children and young people, intercultural church, church planting, generosity, volunteering, healthier church cultures, school partnerships and the missional use of church buildings.
On the final day, we were joined by lay leaders from across the diocese. Meeting in deanery groups gave us an opportunity to consider how the conference’s learning might inspire local conversations, planning and action.
Our time together concluded with a Eucharist led by Archbishop Stephen, with contributions from poet Malcolm Guite, Dean Jessica Martin, and the music and arts collective Epiphany.
Called together — and sent out
In a special video message following the conference, Archbishop Stephen reflects on the joy of gathering as a diocesan family and encourages us to carry what we have learned into the places where we serve.
“We have been called,” he says. “We did gather together in York, and now we are again being sent out.”
The Archbishop speaks of his hope that the conference will renew our feeling of belonging to one another in Christ and help us put Living Christ’s Story into action—in our parishes, chaplaincies, schools and communities.
We hope everyone who attended returned home encouraged and challenged, ready to carry on the conversations begun at Called and Sent. The diocesan team is here to help you as you consider what the conference means for your church’s mission and ministry.
Follow-up materials, including discussion resources, session recordings and practical tools, will help parishes and deaneries reflect, plan over the coming weeks and months. You can find some of these already below.
Thank you again to everyone who attended, contributed, led worship, spoke, volunteered and worked behind the scenes to make Called and Sent possible.
Watch Archbishop Stephen’s message below.
