A service of celebration was held at St Nicholas Church, Cramlington to give thanks and to celebrate the series of successful events that took place throughout Bedlington Deanery during the Pathway Mission.
Led by the deanerys main Pathways Mission co-ordinators, Revd Karen Charman and Reader Yvonne Knibbs, the service had representatives from all parishes take part.
During the Pathways Mission, which took place over four days in September, Bedlington Deanery were paired with a team from Sheffield Diocese, led by Bishop Pete Wilcox.
The celebration service featured a video from Bishop Pete who spoke fondly of the mission, wished everyone well and blessed the deanerys future mission activities.
It was a lively celebration with songs accompanied by the music group from St Nicholas, which created an uplifting service.
There were three testimonies, sometimes passionate, about experiences and what the mission weekend had meant to different people in different ways. Bishop Mark spoke words of encouragement.
The 2019 mission events were launched by Lay Chair Lynne Craggs who announced the first would take place at St Andrews Cambois in May where the Bedlington Deanery pop up church will be unveiled.
This portable church is to be used by any church in the deanery which may be away from its main church grounds and sees an opportunity for a physical church presence. This was followed by prayers from Area Dean Father Phil Hughes.
Bishop Mark then blessed the mission initiative and sent the deanery out to carry on its mission work.