THE Bishop of Durham is embarking on a prayer walk through Teesdale this week, aimed at meeting people and getting to know the area.
Rt Revd Paul Butler will set foot from Gainford on Thursday, May 10, where he will meet residents on the village green and at St Mary’s Church.
He will be given the opportunity to walk a temporary labyrinth created by youngsters from Gainford Primary School with the support of St Mary’s Church. A photography exhibition is also being held at the church before he heads to Winston.
Ten adults and children from Barnard Castle, Gainford and Winston parishes will be confirmed at St Andrew’s Church, in Winston, that night.
Revd Eileen Harrop said: “It is most fitting that the Bishop of Durham is starting his walk from Gainford. St Mary’s Church is the mother church of Teesdale.
“The children are especially excited to welcome the bishop and invite him to bless Gainford’s very first labyrinth on the green.
“I will personally be walking with the bishop from Gainford to Winston and hope many will join us in the walk. Meanwhile, we shall pray for good weather.”
Following the success of prayer walks in the Durham Diocese over the last three years, the walks are set to continue each year until Bishop Paul has walked across all 15 deaneries.
As part of the 2018 series of walks, the dale route will take four days starting on Ascension Day and concluding
on Pentecost Sunday, May
13.
Bishop Paul said: “I love prayer walks because they are a great way to discover an area, meet its people and pray together with them.
“As we walk and pray together we seek to bless and be blessed by the people and communities that we visit. I hope that people will join me. It is fun, enjoyable and really rewarding to do.”
The route through Teesdale will see him visit a variety of locations including visits to schools in Barnard Castle, Gainford and Butterknowle, a dairy farm, a transport depot, a blacksmith, a cheesery and a quarry.
He will also visit High Force and watch a football match in Barnard Castle.
