Growing the church in Wakefield
The Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Revd Tony Robinson has confirmed 133 new candidates at churches across the Episcopal area over the last couple of weeks.
It is part of a drive for growth in the Wakefield area which has seen churches come together for confirmation preparation where people shared their stories of faith and prayed together.
Bishop Tony said: “It is really exciting to share in the confirmations of so many new Christians and to see how our faith is growing here in the new diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales.
“Early on in our life together in the new Episcopal Area of Wakefield, we came together to pray and ask what we could do better together, and joining in training, sharing resources and confirmations came out as priority for our churches.”
Confirmation preparation was held in Wakefield Cathedral last month and over the last two weeks,. Bishop Tony has confirmed candidates in Brierley, St Geroge’s Barnsley, Royston Carleton and Sandal Magna including a big confirmation service in Wakefield Cathedral this weekend, pictured with the candidates here.
The Revd Canon Stephen Race, parish priest for St Mary and St Paul’s, Barnsley and Area Dean said:
“Bringing eight people to be confirmed – one of whom was to be baptised too – in Wakefield Cathedral was wonderful.
“But to be able to watch people grow in faith and to witness their proclamation of Jesus is so encouraging and is made even better when the candidates say how blessed they felt and how glorious a celebration it was!” he added.
Thomas Yates from St Paul's Barnsley is baptised here ahead of his confirmation.
You can see the Confirmation preparation service on You Tube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Ckzq2G798