Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, begins his tour to teach The Lord’s Prayer across the Northern Province of the Church of England at a service of Evensong at 5.30pm in York Minster on Friday 7 March 2025.
The Archbishop’s tour of the North of England is the keystone for 2025 of the “Faith in the North” initiative, sharing the meaning and significance of the Lord’s Prayer.
He will speak across the North about the ongoing relevance of the Lord’s Prayer in today’s world, encouraging everyone to live by its powerful, transformative words.
York Minster’s service of Evensong on the 7th March will include the world premiere of a piece of choral music inspired by the Lord’s Prayer and commissioned by Faith in the North from Lucy Walker, a young composer who has previously written music for the Choir of York Minster.
The Lord’s Prayer Tour is part of Faith in the North’s broader movement of prayer, storytelling and church planting inspired by the Northern Saints including Hild, Cuthbert, Bede, and Paulinus to renew faith and mission across the North of England.
Their example inspires and draws us to strengthen the interweaving of our world with the Gospel and the Christian faith, and to renew the Church’s mission to share God’s love with all.
Key dates for the Diocese of York are:
- Friday 7th March – Archbishop Stephen will speak at Evensong at York Minster to mark the start of the Lord’s Prayer Tour, with an opportunity to speak with him at a reception afterwards.
- Sunday 9th March – Bishop of Whitby Barry Hill and Archdeacon of Cleveland Amanda Bloor will lead a pilgrimage walk between 10.00am and 4.30pm, with reflections on the themes of the Lord’s Prayer, of up to eight miles (pilgrims are welcome to join or leave at any stage), beginning at Old Byland near Helmsley and ending at Rievaulx Abbey (more details below).
- Friday 28th March – Archbishop Stephen will be at Hull Minster for an evening of prayer, reflection, and inspiration; re-connect with the timeless words of the Lord’s Prayer and explore the ways they can change our lives, our communities, and the wider world.
Please register here to attend the evening event at Hull Minster on Friday 28th March 2025.
The Lord’s Prayer is central to this vision, guiding us in prayer and in life. Archbishop Stephen’s challenge to those he meets in each diocese is to let this prayer shape their lives, experiencing its power to bring unity, healing, and transformation.
Sunday 9th March Pilgrimage details
| 10.00am | Gather at Old Byland; tea and cake; opening prayer |
| 10.30am | Leave Old Byland, walk for an hour |
| 11.45am | Prayers and ‘pilgrim passports’ stamped at Saint Mary’s, Scawton |
| 12.15pm | Prayers by Saint Michael’s, Cold Kirby and ‘pilgrim passports’ stamped, followed by lunch – please bring your own, or email george.gyte@btinternet.com to request soup and a roll (donations welcome!). Hot drinks for all in the Village Hall. |
| 1.00pm | Leave for Rievaulx |
| 3.00pm | Tea and biscuits at Rievaulx Methodist Church |
| 3.30pm | Prayers and start Procession from Rievaulx Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin to Rievaulx Abbey with Cross and Banner |
| 4.00pm | Prayers in the Abbey Nave |
| 4.30pm | Refreshments in the Abbey Café |
