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Archbishop in York to Celebrate Thy Kingdom Come

Date:
Mon 21st May 2018

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu joined in the City of York-wide Thy Kingdom Come events over the weekend of Pentecost.

Archbishop Sentamu described it as "An amazing weekend of community events and celebrations where people gather to watch the Royal Wedding, the FA Cup Final and to enjoy one another’s company.

"I always say that the church should be a place of prayer and parties. In the midst of all the celebrations, I pray that we will all have a greater awareness of the presence of God with us because I believe that the greatest party is as part of the Kingdom of Heaven. God himself is our host and we are all invited – see you there!”

This penultimate mission weekend across the Diocese of York coincided with the end of the global wave of prayer movement – Thy Kingdom Come – which took place from 10th to 20th May and came to a close at an evening Beacon Event at York Minster on Sunday 20 May.

The mission weekend started with two school visits on Friday 18 May. Huntington and Fulford Secondary Schools welcomed the Archbishop as he took part in Q&A sessions and gave short talks to staff and students. At 7.30pm that evening the Archbishop joined young people from across the city at Upstage Theatre in Monkgate, York for a Neon Silent Disco, sharing his journey of faith and offering prayers.

On Saturday 19 May, the day began with a Men’s Breakfast at Belfrey Hall in Stonegate where the Archbishop shared what a difference his faith in Jesus Christ makes to his life.

Clifton and St Luke’s parishes were hosting a Community Celebration at Vale of York Academy, based on a Royal Wedding theme with a large screen showing the wedding, together with bouncy castles, BBQ, climbing wall, face painting, Messy Church Wedding, live music, Bake-off competition, 5-a-side competition and stalls.

Continuing to meet local communities the Archbishop dropped in at the ‘Match of the Day Party’ at Heworth Vicarage, Melrosegate. The event was based around the celebration of the Royal wedding and the FA Cup – two ‘matches’ on this day. With big screen, barbecue, picnic, games and fun. Tang Hall Primary School and Heworth C of E Primary School also brought choirs for a short performance.

In the afternoon St Barnabas Church, Jubilee Terrace, hosted a Spring Event in celebration of the Royal Wedding and Thy Kingdom Come. There was entertainment, stalls, plant sales, food and drink, and the Royal Wedding was on a big screen. The Archbishop was interviewed by the Revd Matt Woodcock before giving a short talk about the Christian faith.

St Chad’s Church, Campleshon Road, hosted an evening of sketches by the Roughshod Theatre Company on the theme of ‘Stories of Hope in troubled times’. The Archbishop joined people there and gave a talk at the beginning of the second half of the evening.

Sunday 20 May, Pentecost, began at The Spurriergate Centre in York with a breakfast run by the Kitchen for Everyone Charity which provides meals twice a week for the homeless and lonely in the city. The Archbishop enjoyed breakfast and chatting to those attending before moving on to St Mary’s Church, Haxby, for a Eucharist and Renewal of Wedding Vows service.

The Archbishop returned to The Belfrey Hall at on Sunday evening to meet those attending the Friends International Tea – an opportunity for internationals to meet together in a welcoming environment (Friends International run an International Cafe every Monday evening in the city centre). After delivering a short talk to those present the Archbishop went to the Minster at 7.30pm for the Thy Kingdom Come Beacon Event – an evening of celebration with several hundred present and participating.