The following article is now published on Derby Diocese website!

https://derby.anglican.org/en/archbishop-of-canterbury-to-visit-the-diocese-of-derby.html

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby, is to visit the Diocese of Derby on Saturday 13April, for a day of prayer across Derbyshire and Derby City.

The archbishop will pray with people of all ages, from across the diocese, in five locations during the day.

He will be accompanied some of his team from Lambeth Palace, including members of the Community of St Anselm. The day begins in Chesterfield and finishes at Derby.

The archbishop comes to pray with and for the people of the whole diocese. In a wide variety of contexts reflecting the diversity of the County, City and region. During the day, there will be opportunities to explore a range of prayer types.

Archbishop Justin will be praying on a farm, alongside a foodbank, from a hilltop, in a marketplace, with a recent church-plant, and finally joining a Prayer Day hosted at Derby Cathedral.

The Diocese of Derby is committed to living out its vision of the Kingdom of God: good news for all, and through this day of prayer with Archbishop Justin will reflect the diocesan aims to deepen relationships with God, serve local communities, challenge injustice, and make new disciples.

There is an open invitation to an all-age prayer and picnic event at lunchtime with Archbishop Justin at Crich tower, from which (on a fine day!) there is a glorious view in every direction looking out across much of the county and towards the city. People of all ages, as households, in groups, or coming alone are invited to register by Eventbrite Some may wish to make an afternoon of it and book in to visit the Tramway Museum afterwards.

Later in the afternoon, from about 1415, the archbishop will be praying with local people in the Market Place outside St Mary’s, Ilkeston. After calling in on an all-age food and prayer event in South Derby at Shelton Lock for prayer.

The archbishop will finally be joining Derby Cathedral’s Day of prayer at around 1615. The Cathedral will provide prayer stations for people to engage with around the building. The archbishop will join in those activities and participate in an informal Prayer.

The Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane, said:

'We are looking forward to praying with Archbishop Justin across the diocese with and for the people of Derbyshire, Derby City and beyond. We are delighted that Archbishop Justin will be joining in our daily prayers for God’s blessing on our towns and villages and city, for those who live, work and visit them, and for our churches to be a blessing for those they serve. It is going to be a wonderfully varied day reflecting the rich diversity of our diocese, with lots of opportunities to learn to pray using a wide range of styles of prayer. Every day I pray for transformed lives through growing church and building community - what an encouragement it is to have Archbishop Justin come and join us in this work and witness!'

We encourage any parents/carers who wish to book, to do so directly via the link.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/844631675077?aff=oddtdtcreator