Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey, has been in Harrogate to launch an major new initiative to bring together the town’s churches in social action and care project.
Lord Carey spoke at an open meeting in the Wesley Centre in Harrogate. Among the packed audience at the launch of the ‘Harrogate Hub’ were church leaders from all the town’s major Christian churches as well as local councillors.
Speaking on the subject of ‘Minding the Gap’, the title of a document detailing the hidden social needs across Harrogate, Lord Carey said that there was a growing gap between church and society, which projects such as the Harrogate Hub could bridge.
[Pictured above left to right, Revd Guy Donegon-Cross, Michelle Hayes, author of the Minding the Gap report, Lord Carey, Carol Bracher, and Revd Tim Hurren a trustee of the Harrogate Hub]
“We are losing our way” he said. “There is a real gap between the church and our society thee days….This initiative stands right in that no-man’s land.” But he added “It’s going to require a major shift in the way we do things” warning of projects which have fizzled out through apathy and lack of support in the past. “We are at a time”, he said” when all our churches need to be far more enterprising and outward looking.”
The Harrogate Hub plans include a town centre drop-in centre and shop where people can receive practical help as well as advice.
The Rev Guy Donegan-Cross, Chair of Harrogate Churches Together said, “At a time when local government is responding to austerity it’s an opportunity for us to work together more to serve those who fall through the gaps and to build community,” says Rev Donegan-Cross.
For more information, please contact Guy Donegan-Cross on 07834 275979 or email guydonegancross@yahoo.co.uk