Alan Yates, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, and many other senior URC staff, joined the Most Revd John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, on what has been described as ‘the largest-ever ecumenical regional-mission’ to Cumbria.
Thirty-three teams – made up of Anglicans, Methodists, the Salvation and the URC – reached an estimated 25,000 people, who attended more than 500 events across the county, during the four-day ‘Moving Mountains’ mission which took place from 8 to 12 March.
Synod moderators who joined Mr Yates included the Revd Steve Faber, Moderator of West Midlands Synod, the Revd David Pickering, Moderator of the National Synod of Scotland, the Revd Andrew Mills, Moderator of North Western Synod, the Revd Paul Whittle, Moderator of the Eastern Synod, and the Revd Sarah Moore, Cumbria Area President.
In his Moderator’s Blog, Mr Yates reflects on whether the mission was a success.
‘It is too early to say if we have enabled new people to get to know Jesus,’ he says. ‘I’m sure that this is the case, but I believe two other significant benefits have already been “delivered”.’ Firstly, through the commitment made by a whole host of senior people – 27 bishops, nine Methodist district chairs, five URC moderators and one Salvation Army divisional commander – we have encouraged and inspired the local teams to enhance their mission focus. In addition, we have demonstrated that the four denominations are more powerful together than they are apart.’
Activities featured in the four-day mission included school visits, pub quizzes, music events, comedy entertainment, treasure hunts, arts and crafts, film nights, walking trips, sporting events, exhibitions, and dementia-friendly events and services, to communicate the key message: ‘God loves you more than you will ever know’.
Ms Moore added: ‘People have been hugely impressed and amazed by the way all the different Christian denominations are working together, and by the way institutions like schools have welcomed senior church leaders with open arms.’
Bordering south-west Scotland and including the Lake District national park, Cumbria is one of the most sparsely populated counties in England with a population of around half-a-million people spread out across 2,613 square miles.
The mission was part of Cumbria’s God for All initiative, which aims to ensure that everyone in Cumbria should know more about God and God’s purpose for their lives.
