Hundreds attend Sheffield service

THE FOUR-DAY mission in the Diocese of Sheffield came to its climax on Sunday when more than 800 people attended the closing service outside Rotherham Minster.

Some 21 bishops from across the Northern Province descended on the diocese for the historic mission, and it is planned to be the first of an annual series of events.

Among those attending the service on Sunday were the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire and the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.

The Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield, opened the service by addressing the expectant crowd: “We planned some time ago for our final gathering to be in the centre of Rotherham, as we thought and prayed, there was nowhere else we wanted to be more than here at this particular time, to say to the town the love of the church, of Christian people and of God is with you.”

The Archbishop or York, Dr John Sentamu added: “What a few days we have had in this wonderful diocese.”