Parishes invited to join Yorkshire Churches Day

divinerenovation.tfaforms.net/f/LeadershipLunch-23.

Divine Renovation is also running an online event for priests entitled “Preaching on Purpose: Making Disciples through Missional Preaching”, on Thursday May 18 at 8pm. Register at divinerenovation.tfaforms.net/f/PreachingMay18-23.

Talks delves into town’s history

Local historian Ian Stubbs will give an illustrated talk on “A journey through the history of Middlesbrough” as part of Local History Month May.

The talk is at 7pm on Friday May 12 in St Joseph’s Church, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, and is followed by light refreshments.

Admission is free, but donations towards church funds are welcome.

Yorkshire Churches Day (YCD) is a chance for every place of worship in the county to showcase the amazing history and heritage found inside their buildings. It’s an opportunity to tell stories and bring to life the variety, beauty, history and sheer wonder of Yorkshire’s churches, chapels and places of worship.

The aim is to encourage everyone to visit their local church, even if they have never stepped foot inside a church before. It will be a day for those who are curious about the history and heritage of their local surroundings.

This year’s YCD, run in partnership with Heritage Open Days (HOD), is on Saturday September 16.

Organisers say it is England’s largest festival of history and culture, when thousands of people come together to celebrate their heritage, community and history.

Entry to each event must be free, but there are many ways churches can engage their visitors and encourage donations. Ideas include providing refreshments, running tours, staging exhibitions, offering bell ringing, putting on recitals and offering skills and craft demonstrations. To register, visit the Heritage Open Days website and add details of your church, stating you are opening for Yorkshire Churches Day.

For full details on how to register and advice on fundraising events and how to attract publicity, visit yhct.org.uk/yorkshire-churchesday.

During lockdown, the trustees of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) came up with the concept of Yorkshire Churches Day.

It offers an opportunity to raise much-needed funds when the future of many churches is under threat because of crumbling roofs, windows and stonework.

YHCT works to keep these places of worship in good repair, recognising the contribution they make to society and the support they provide to local communities.

It hopes churches will donate up to half of any funds raised to YHCT, helping it continue offering vital support to churches, chapels and meeting houses across Yorkshire. To support YHCT, visit yhct.org.uk/donate.