Come and See

Come and See was the Northern Bishop’s mission to York diocese. Over the weekend of the 12th - 15th March we had lots of Bishops from the north of England descend on us! We had a big programme of activities, opening churches and lots of community events happening all around us. Here in Thirsk and Sowerby, we hosted the Bishop of Liverpool, +Paul Bayes.

Here in Thirsk and Sowerby we had +Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool and +John Frank, retired Bishop to the Vatican come and stay with us for the weekend. +Paul visited Thirsk High School, and had great questions fired at him from the sixth formers! How would you respond to:

If God is all inclusive, how can there be a hell?
Why did Jesus do petty miracles like water to win and doesn’t stop natural disasters? (Question posed pre lockdown….!)

Particular highlights were the ‘Question of Sport’ sports night and ‘Colour me Beautiful’ Ladies pamper night.

All our local sports teams were invited to pitch teams and write us a quiz round on their particular sport. A hugely fun night was had at the Athletic club, with 8 teams representing their sporting disciplines. The Thirsk + Sowerby Harriers stormed the quiz, and then saw off competition in the deciding charades round from runners up - the cricketers. Our local runners rightly raised the trophy as the evening champions! Maurice Hepworth, ex England and Sunderland professional footballer shared his story and about how Jesus has met and saved him through difficult life circumstances.

Our ladies night saw 65 ladies, all ages and from all over, coming together and being thoroughly pampered! Rev Jan, one of our visiting team, taught us about colours and shades and what suits us. She affirmed in each of us that we are uniquely and wonderfully made by our creator and beautiful in his sight.