Archbishop's visit will be highlight of centenary celebrations

Members of St. Alban’s Church at Forest Town, Mansfield, are gearing up for a special visitor next month, when they will welcome the Archbishop of York for a special centenary service.

The Archbishop, Dr John Sentamu will be visiting and preaching at a special service on Saturday, 17th September at 6pm to mark the climax of the church’s 100th anniversary celebrations. 

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
There will be an opportunity for photos with the Archbishop after the service at 7.15pm at St Alban’s Church, Clipstone Road West, Forest Town, Notts NG19 0EP

The service will contain modern and traditional elements and include songs from the popular and charismatic Mansfield Community Gospel Choir.  In the final part of the service the Archbishop will share some of his experiences and insights.  Following the service he will join the congregation for light refreshments.

Centenary celebrations at St Alban’s have already included a slide show about the history of the church from popular local historian, Pauline Marples and a sell-out concert from Mansfield Community Gospel Choir.

The Revd Philip Stead, Priest in Charge said: “The Archbishop continues to be a powerful and prophetic witness for Christ and as a totally committed
Christian disciple has not been afraid to suffer in living out his Christian calling.  It is a huge honour that he is sharing this time with us.”
As the church starts its second century Philip Stead said he hopes that the visit of the Archbishop will inspire individuals to deepen their Christian faith and to encourage enquirers to want to know more. 

He explained: “The visit will also be a great building block for the next stage of the Church’s missionary development as it seeks the best way to build relationships with young people and young adults and to maintain links through World Vision with the Lideta Community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This will also be a great opportunity to thank God for all his blessings on St. Alban’s in recent years.”

*The Archbishop will also be spending two days in the county from 31st October to the 1st November, when he will visit a number of projects and places, as well as joining children for a special Light service in Southwell Minster on the evening of October 31st.

Ends