AN amazing twenty-two people, including residents and staff, have been confirmed at St George’s Crypt, in the first such service since it opened 95 years ago.
The Crypt is a Christian charity in Leeds that supports those living with homelessness and addiction and provides award-winning, emergency accommodation for men and women who are homeless or rough-sleeping.
The Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall, Bishop Arun Arora took the service, assisted by Revd Andy Muckle (Chaplain to the Crypt) and Mr Chris Fields (CEO of the Crypt).
Six members of staff and sixteen residents from the Crypt’s Growing Rooms projects were confirmed in a service that reflected the deepening spiritual journey that has been taking place at the Crypt.
Revd Andy said: “Being the first ever Confirmation service ever to take place in the Crypt added to the deeply poignant nature of the day.
“As Bishop Arun said in his sermon, these lovely people making their commitment of faith, were ‘history makers’. “
Andy reflected, not only history makers but people whose lives have visibly been transformed by God’s love and who will be a blessing to others.
“As the Crypt’s founder the Revd Don Robins once wrote. ‘Are you prepared to be that kind of person who will give to Christ unquestioning obedience and unswerving love. Because if you are, you are the woman or the man that the world is waiting for.”
“Ninety-five years later, it was such a privilege to be there to witness the confirmation of people the world is waiting for.”