It is the brainchild of Archbishop John Sentamu who has mobilised many of the bishops to go, with small teams, into a particular diocese and spend four days supporting local churches in mission. As, this year, it is the turn of the Diocese of Carlisle, it has become ecumenical with some Methodist Chairs, URC Moderators and one Salvation Army Divisional Commander leading teams, as well, as Anglican bishops, 33 teams in all. This reflects the ecumenical way in which Cumbria functions.Pray for us during the mission, March 8-11. I will be near Carlisle, but in a deeply rural stretch that is definitely not the city.
It was good to do some preparatory reflection with a couple of Anglican and a couple of URC hosts, Mike Talbot, Cameron Butland, Sarah Moore and Andrew Mills, alongside the other colleagues who will be leading teams - Steve Faber, David Pickering and Alan Yates. Thanks to Andrew Mills for the photo - and it is all a reminder of 'doing' a joint confirmation with +Sentamu some years ago when he was Bishop of Birmingham and I was one of the ministers at The Cotteridge Church - that's the other photo!
