Christians from across Skipton Deanery came together earlier this month to celebrate and share their 'Signs of Resurrection' - ways in which Christ is alive in our rural communities.
Around 50 people from across the deanery met at the Craven Arts Centre on a Saturday morning to hear about the wide diversity of ways in which Christianity thrives in the area. The event was a first fruit of the Skipton deanery networking project, which has been funded through the Diocese of Leeds' Barnabas initiative. Deanery Networker the Revd Tom Lusty has visited each parish in the deanery over recent months and interviewed people about local parish life. The Saturday gathering provided a chance to share a few of the good news stories, meet together, smile, pray, sing (thanks to the Revd Tom and the Buckden Singers!) and be uplifted.
The session began with one person's compelling story of spiritual awakening, followed by two reflections on social justice, a strong theme which emerged as very alive in the deanery. Reflection on how we can address our responsibility to God's Creation followed, before moving to a challenge as to what Christian inclusivity should mean.
Stories about the use of creative arts in worship came next, with two inputs describing poetry and music initiatives in different parts of the deanery. The tempo then changed with an enthusiastic and very practical account of working with young people "up the Dale."
Finally, came two reflections on the Church in Growth. The first celebrated local stories as evidence of Christ being active in communities in the deanery in ways beyond the Sunday pews - an increasingly important area of growth considering what is meant by "Church" in modern society. The final speaker addressed thorny questions around how Christian faith relates to a world where the macro stories around us are bleak.
Event attendee Peter Edwards said: "I was engaged throughout and left with a lift in my step. This morning of story-telling, celebration, challenge and sharing showed that the power of small rural communities is often hidden to the casual viewer but, in diverse ways, Christ is alive among us and we should rejoice where we see that, rather than listen to the doom-sayers. As we sang with growing confidence, 'Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I shall be there.' Thank you Revd Tom Lusty, Anne Vetch and Revd Clare Wood for making this happen. I look forward to further fruits from the next stages of this deanery's networking."
Area Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham said: "It is so good to hear how well this event has gone and see the path it is laying for our developing work on growing closer to each other to encourage, resource and help our churches and parishes grow God’s Kingdom together. It has real substance and I am eager to hear more about these projects and how this networking can further inspire God’s mission across Skipton Deanery and beyond."