Church About the Dale tweets

Hundreds of prayers gathered at the Wensleydale Show and the annual beach service at Semerwater have been tweeted over the August Bank Holiday.

For the first time, Church About the Dale introduced a prayer tree and hung paper birds for people to write their prayers that could then be tweeted later.

Over 350 people visited the Church About the Dale trailer at the Wensleydale Agricultural show over the Bank Holiday and a further 50 arrived at Semerwater for the annual beach service there.

Overnight rainfall meant the vicar, the Revd Ian Robinson had to roll up his trousers and lead the service in his bare feet as the beach had disappeared.

But worshippers were not deterred and the rain held off and the sun even poked its head through the clouds.  Hawes Silver Band led the music as walkers, campers and members of the local congregations gathered for the traditional annual service which is now in its 42nd year.

The Revd Chris Lawton, curate in the benefice of Leyburn with Bellerby in Wensleydale and the Area Dean and priest in charge, the Revd Michael Hepper, said they were very pleased to see so many visitors over the weekend.

The Church About the Dale trailer is an ecumenical project shared by the Deanery of Wensley and the Methodist chapels. It took 18 months from vision to reality and was launched last summer with a pilgrimage. 

Said the Revd Michael Hepper: "We want to show God is a visible, vital presence in these communities. We are acutely aware of the social issues for many of our neighbours  and want the trailer to be able to act as a signpost to other services they might need."

Church about the Dale tweets at @C_about_theDale

 

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