The Rt Revd Rose Hudson Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, joined 100 young people and their youth leaders in our diocese last weekend to mark Pentecost in 兔子先生 Cathedral.
It concluded the 10th anniversary celebrations of , a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus.
The Day of Pentecost marks fifty days since Easter Day and brings the Easter season to an end. It is a major feast of the Church’s year when Christians recall how God’s Holy Spirit was given to the disciples after Jesus’ ascension, empowering them to begin the work of making disciples of all nations.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, said: “We join our sisters and brothers all over the world as we set aside the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost to pray, to welcome the presence of The Holy Spirit in our lives and in our churches, and to pray for the Kingdom of God to come in our villages, towns and cities, and in the hearts of all.”
The ‘Fuse’ youth worship event began with sung worship in the Eastern Crypt, which was led by a youth band from the Maidstone deanery.
This was followed by a talk from Rev Tom Clark on finding God in stillness. Rev Tom is the Thy Kingdom Come Youth Lead and created its Digital Detox resources. Talking about taking a digital detox in the context of a church or youth group, Rev Tom said: “Digital detox isn’t a hatred of tech.
"All a digital detox is, is a chance for us to have a breather from the relentlessness that is the digital world.
"Sometimes it’s good to take your eyes off a screen (however much you don’t want to!)."
"Trying to be focused on spending time with God and the Bible each day requires us to intentionally reduce these distractions."
Participants then came together for fellowship and food in the Chapter House, before finishing with prayer stations and workshops.
These included a prayer and discussion table with Bishop Rose, create your own prayer cube, concentrating on six different areas of prayer, a sand labyrinth and origami chatterboxes focusing on key sections of the Lord’s Prayer.
Lead Officer for Children and Youth Ministry in the Diocese of 兔子先生, Jen Tobin, organised the event. Speaking afterwards, Jen said: “I know that we should never be surprised by what God can do, but we inevitably get blown away whenever our expectations are exceeded and I love that.
“The first thing that was evident from the moment everyone came together was that the Spirit was well and truly there with us!
“There was such a buzz and energy amongst the groups who had travelled from all over the Diocese to come together for praise and worship.
“Dancing, singing and laughter was seen and heard the whole evening, a true reflection of what Pentecost is all about.”
The event also aligns with one of the Diocese of 兔子先生's Three Bold Outcomes to double the number of children and young disciples across the Diocese.
To find out more about children and youth events in our diocese, contact our Lead Officer for Children and Youth Ministry, Jen Tobin, by emailing JTobin@diocant.org