The churches of Keighley say they have seen real benefit and community involvement from the Archbishops' Prayer Initiative, Thy Kingdom Come.
The four churches of the recently formed parish began Thy Kingdom Come on Ascension Day with a united launch service with Archdeacon of Bradford, Ven Andy Jolley. Throughout the Spring Bank holiday week, Keighley Shared Church in the town-centre was open for prayer, with a labyrinth and prayer stations.
Team Rector, Revd Mike Cansdale, said "It has been really encouraging to see how members of the separate churches have pulled together to help in church sitting so that Keighley Shared Church could offer our quiet space to members of the public and church members. Particularly in the wake of the Manchester bombing, people came to light a candle and write in our book of condolence."
Perhaps the most fun prayer event was a Kite Festival at Long Lee Primary School field, organised by St Barnabas Church in Thwaites Brow. Members of the local community came to make and fly kites, and were invited to write a prayer on a "messenger," which rose up the line as the kite flew. Children on school holiday enjoyed running around to get their kites to fly.
The ten days culminated with a Keighley Churches Together service of witness, held in the town shopping centre on Saturday 3rd June, and the next day with Pentecost services celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit.