Next week a team of 19 Bishops from across the north of England will spend four days in the Diocese of Sheffield in the Crossroads mission. The team of Bishops will be led by the Archbishop of York. Many of the bishops are bringing small teams with them to help in the various events.
Over 200 special events are taking place across the Diocese over the four days (not including all the Sunday services at which the bishops will speaking and leading). More than 100 parishes are involved in some direct way with the mission. We are being held in prayer across the whole Diocese and across the world. The Diocese of Sheffield is named tomorrow (2nd September) in the Anglican Communion’s prayer cycle.
The aim of the mission is to share the Christian faith with love and imagination in many different places. Jesus compared sharing the good news of God’s love with sowing seed. That’s exactly what we will be doing.
Everyone across the Diocese is warmly invited to the Cathedral for the commissioning and launch service on Thursday 10th September at 1.30 pm.
Everyone is also welcome to the final event in Minster Square in Rotherham at 4.00pm on Sunday 13th September.
There are also many other events happening near to where you live if you would like to join in.
We’ve planned a way for people who come to the events to find out more about faith by signing up for a special text messaging service. Details will be available at all the Crossroads events. There is a special twitter account for the mission @crossroads_info.
Many parishes in the Diocese are planning a small group or course this autumn to help people discover more about the Christian faith.
If you are already part of the Church please pray for these four days of mission, that God will bless this time in special ways. If you are not part of the Church then please come and explore faith by coming to the Crossroads events and joining a small group to explore faith together.
Everyone should take the opportunity, once in their life, to think seriously about the Christian faith. There is a course close to where you live.
Bishop Peter and I will be out and about at various mission events during the four days. We look forward to seeing you
+Steven
A prayer for the mission
Loving God, ?This world you love ?stands at the crossroads.
Help us help others ?to discover your Way ?to know your Truth ?and to share your Life ?in your dear Son, Jesus Christ.
Inspire us by your Spirit ?to sow the good seed of the gospel ?throughout this Diocese ?with imagination and compassion,
that many will come to know you ?and many will be strengthened in their faith,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord?
Amen.