Archbishops in Mission in Manchester
The Archbishop of York and the Archbishop of Canterbury made a joint mission visit to Manchester from 28 February and 3 March 2011. This was the first time the Archbishops had undertaken a joint mission to an industrial city.
Highlights
Cathedral service to mark the end of the Bishop of Manchester’s five-year Run the Race pilgrimage.
Bishop Nigel was commissioned at the Cathedral on Advent Sunday 2005 and set out on his parish pilgrimages to nearly 350 churches across Greater Manchester.
On the evening of 28 February the Archbishops led a service marking the end of Run the Race, the Bishop of Manchester’s five year pilgrimage to the diocese. During the service the Bishop carried the Commonwealth baton to Manchester Cathedral, the place where the pilgrimage began.
Joint ‘opening’ of a new £11 million bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal at MediaCityUK. Tuesday 1 March at 11am
The Archbishops activated a button to close the bridge and be the first official people to cross it. Afterwards there was a discussion panel and community events.
Other visits
During their visit, the Archbishops spent time in and around the City of Manchester, praying, listening and sharing.
The Archbishop of York addressed a Head Teachers and Governors School conference on 2 March.
The Archbishop of Canterbury addressed inter faith and community leaders at Manchester Town Hall on 2 March.
Praying
Among other events, the Archbishops attended a communion service at Manchester Cathedral and St Clement’s Ordsall.
Listening
Visits included time with The School of the Resurrection-Beswick, St Mary’s, Moss Side, Cheetham C E Community School, Trinity High School, Manchester Prison, Chetham’s School of Music, Trinity Drop In asylum seekers support group, The Mustard Tree project for the homeless and marginalised across Greater Manchester, The Lighthouse Group – a church-based project at Christ Church Harpurhey, Mosscare Housing Association, Northwards Housing, and a Youth Project in Miles Platting.
Sharing
The Archbishops met representatives from the small business community, Greater Manchester Churches Together Presidents, Street Pastors, The Message Trust, Changemakers, the media, The University of Salford and representatives of Christians in Sport. They also gave lectures at Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University, addressed a church schools Headteachers and Chairs of Governors conference, and took part in a discussion panel at MediaCityUK.
