A great crowd gathered in York Minster on Sunday May 11th for the Global Day of Prayer.
We were called together to pray by a great trumpet blast then we prayed in various formats, led by various people through the evening.
There was a joint ‘act of turning’ as we forgave, confessed our personal sin and that of our nation.
The church leaders of the city and surrounding areas were called out into the great aisle of the Nave of York Minster as we prayed for them, releasing a blessing and calling for the spirit of Jesus to form the fruits of Galatians 5 in their lives.
We called out for revival, then began a ‘prayer parade’ as we walked around a 12 part display in the minster, past prayer points for our council, education and health services, police, churches and the many facets of greater York.
We prayed for our world, with the nations of Burma and Zimbabwe very much on our hearts. After focusing on some youth issues we all joined together for the world prayer and declarations. Representatives of various nations from our church led the closing world prayer.
At the close the Lord Mayor and her party lead us out of the building with flaming torches. Outside church leaders and those from Elim who had led the world prayer, had already formed a huge semi-circle with flaming torches held high, surrounding the crowds with fire as Graham led the final prayer on the steps of the Minster.
Another great act of unity has taken place in our city. We must continue to call upon God for revival in our city and nation.
See the report on the One Voice York website.
One Voice York had another of their leaders breakfasts at the Spurriergate Centre. This time it was an opportunity to hear from their special guest Gillian Cruddas the Chief Executive of the York Tourism Bureau (now becoming “Visit York“).
See the One Voice York website for more details.
The weather forecast was so awful that for safety considerations we could not continue with the plans for the large platform and loads of PA equipment in Parliament Street. Storms of high winds with snow and sleet were foretold. So we moved the event to the forecourt of St Michael-le-Belfrey church.
On the morning the expected storms with high winds did not take place, we had snow instead. As I was booked to go to BBC Radio York to go on Julia Booth’s programme to review the Sunday Papers, I went by the nearby baptismal site and got a shot of it covered in Easter Day snow.
The bad weather did come. Just before the baptisms it was cold windy sleet. The storms stopped for the baptisms and then returned when we were finished.
The event went well though. We had some of the preliminaries indoors with the York Gospel Choir and the candidates making their vows and declaring their faith. Then we all trooped out for the baptisms.
I was such a joyful event. The sun shone, the Minster bells sounded out and cheers rippled through the crowds as those baptised emerged from the pool.
Because of the hurriedly changed arrangements we had no platform or crowd control. The tank was crowded round with spectators and press cameras.
I saw a photo of the event on Christian Selvaratnam’s blog. He had to hold the camera in the air as there were so many people, and were so crowded together. Nice shot though.
Below are just a selection from those Natasha took for us.
Some more web coverage:
- The BBC news for North Yorkshire
- The York Press
- The Yorkshire Post
- One Voice York
I am sure you will find more if you search.
Click on any of the thumbnails to open them.
Recently we prayed for our Paster, Graham, as he made his way to Ipswich. Church leaders had heard what One Voice were doing in York and they invited Graham to Ipswich to tell them more. Graham wrote a report on his return and it was evident that all our prayers had been heard. He thinks God may be up to something in our nation as more churches in cities around the country are recognising the value of working together, “it’s all about Jesus”. Graham’s full report is on the One Voice Website, click here.
For a full report of the fantastic night we had in York Minster on New Year’s Eve check out this One Voice article.
This morning we presented two of the three baptised last Sunday with their certificates.
Samir (pictured on the right) who was baptised during an Easter open air service in the city centre was also presented with a certificate.
Samir’s certificate also bears the signature of the Archbishop of York as he had agreed to baptise candidates from all the churches which took part in the event with their own leaders. This was to be the first time in known history that the primate of England was to conduct baptisms with leaders of other churches.
Revelation: What it Really Says
A new course from York School of Theology, taught by John Wilson, pastor of Gateway Christian Fellowship in Acomb, York.
The book of Revelation has perplexed and enthralled Christians down the ages. Is it a crystal ball, foretelling the future, or is it more like an x-ray which reveals the underlying structures by which we live.
The course begins on Tuesday 27th November, 7.30 to 9.30 pm at St Cuthbert’s Church Centre, Peasholme Green, York.
To book a place, phone 07804453616 or email office@ystyork.org or write to YST, St Cuthbert’s Centre, Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PW. You can also also book in person on the night.
Steve Redman did such a good job at reviewing this event on the One Voice website I won’t bother reinventing the wheel and just redirect you there! I have added some text from the City Council website here just to give you a bit of info about the office of Lord Mayor. Enjoy!
“The Lord Mayor is Chairman of City of York Council and the first citizen of the city. It’s an appointment made by the council each year in May, at the same time appointing a Sheriff, the city’s other civic head. York’s Lord Mayor is second only to the Lord Mayor of London in precedence and its Sheriff holds the oldest office of Sheriff in England and Wales.
The Lord Mayor chairs meetings of full council and together with the Sheriff, represents the city on ceremonial occasions, welcomes international visitors and attends events organised by local people and community groups.
The Lord Mayor also hosts formal and informal functions at the Mansion House which is the Lord Mayor’s residence during their year of office. The Mansion House is also available for tours and private hire.”
Come along to Clifton Parish Church on Tuesday 9th October between 7 pm and 9 pm to find out more about this year’s courses, meet the tutors and enrol. See our map to find Clifton Parish Church.
Certificated Courses for this term:
An introduction to the New Testament.
Starting Tuesday 16th October at Trinity Methodist Church, Monkgate. Tutors: Francis Hutchins and Gary Patchen. Cost £90
New Testament Introduction was our most popular Unit in our first year. It is a good starting point for those aiming for the Certificate as most Christians know the New Testament reasonably well both in structure and in content, without even realising it.
The Holy Spirit
Starting Monday 15th October at St. Cuthbert’s Centre, Peasholme Green. Tutor: John Wilson. Cost £90.
The Holy Spirit course includes three main areas; the Spirit of God, the Spirit Within Us and the Spirit in the Church.
Flatpack ( Short ) Courses for this term:
The Bible in 6 weeks.
Starts: Tuesday 16th October for 6 weeks at St. Cuthbert’s Centre, Peasholme Green. Tutor: Derek Wooldridge. Cost: £30
We all know about Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, David and Goliath, Daniel and those lions, Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Paul’s journeys, but how do they all fit together and make sense as a whole? This course gives an overview of this amazing collection of books.
The Book of Revelation
Starts: Tuesday 27th November for 3 weeks at St. Cuthbert’s Centre, Peasholme Green. Tutor: John Wilson. Costs: £15
A three week overview of the last book of the bible, looking at the different ways in which it is interpreted and how those interpretations shape our thinking about both the present and the future.
Engage
‘Engage’ is for anyone doing youth work - voluntarily, part time or full time who wants training and a chance to reflect on their practice.
Starts: November. Tutor: James Simister. Cost: £TBA
To find out more about the courses visit our website www.ystyork.org.
E mail: office@ystyork.org Phone 0780 4453616
Today along with other believers in the UK, Christians gathered in town halls and civic centres to pray for peace. Here in York we had been invited by the Lord Mayor to meet in the Medieval York Guildhall. There we prayed for our city of York, for the nation and our world. The civic party were in attendance.
This was a One Voice event and many churches were represented.
The Spurriergate Centre led the prayers for the world. People were invited to place a small umbrella on a world map as they prayed to represent the covering of God’s care we were calling to God for.
I got a photo of the world map with some of the umbrellas just before it had been fully cleared away.
The Summer Soul team led the praying for the city of York. Hand shaped notes placed on the floor as we prayed for the city of York.
Umbrellas were used in another prayer station led by Sue Wallace of “Visions“. We were invited to thank God for the “umbrella” of His protection because the recent bombing attempts in London and Glasgow were unsuccessful. That got me thinking… Look for my thoughts on TheMorningFlight
