The church was truly on show at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate with Christians across the diocese providing a special 'Churches on Show' tent.
The show is a highlight annual event in the agricultural calendar which sees communities coming together with visitors from across the county to celebrate farming and rural life.
Located directly behind the main ring, Yorkshire Churches on Show is an ecumenical project with, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, URC and Free Church represented. It is an excellent witness to the Christian faith right at the heart of one of the biggest agricultural shows in the country with 140,000 people attending each year. Among them this year was the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, who presented several championship rosettes in the cattle and pig rings, tried a tractor for size and met the makers of award-winning handcrafted shepherds' staffs, as well as visiting the Church on Show.
The Archbishop also met with Dean of Ripon Cathedral the Very Rev John Dobson and heard about the cathedral's presence at the show.
Archbishop Stephen was hosted by Rev Jen Bradley, Interim Rector of the Walkingham HIll Benefice in the diocese and one of the team behind Church on Show. "The theme this year was journeying with Jesus and pilgrimage. Resurrection Bikes fun bikes measured people's distance on a pilgrimage route and we got the Archbishop of York peddling fast when he had a go," Jen said.
The journeying theme incorporated Bible stories including the Road to Emmaus, the Good Samaritan, the journey to Bethlehem and Jesus calming the storm, as well as the miraculous catch of fish. Other activities included baking bread, boat-themed Messy Church, St Aidan's CofE school, a prayer pool and journey to Bethlehem dress up, amongst other things.
"Churches on Show offers a unique space in a busy environment for people to just come and be, to pray, to chat, to do games and craft. We always come away with stories of special encounters and conversations," Jen added.