Welcoming the Commonwealth Games

A vibrant ecumenical ‘Service of Praise’ to welcome the Commonwealth Games to the West Midlands took place at St Chad’s Cathedral yesterday afternoon (Sunday 24 July). The service had been put together by Mgr Tim Menezes (Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral), Dr Beverly Lindsay OBE (Association of Jamaica Nationals UK), Laurence Sharman (World Prayer Centre) and Robert Mountford (Birmingham Churches Together).

At the service, Archbishop Bernard Longley was joined in the Sanctuary by the Rt Revd David Urquhart (Bishop of Birmingham), the Rt Revd Anne Hollinghurst (Bishop of Aston), the Rt Revd Mike Royal (General Secretary, Churches Together in England), the Very Revd Matt Thompson (Dean, St Philip’s Anglican Cathedral), Revd Adrian Argile (Regional Minister Team Leader, Heart of England Baptist Association), Major Samuel Edgar (West Midlands Division, Salvation Army), Revd Neil Johnson (Deputy Chair, Birmingham Methodist District), Pastor David King (New Testament Church of God), Deacon Ruth Yorke (Birmingham Methodist Circuit) and Pastor Rasaq Ibrahim (Redeemed Christian Church of God). John Crabtree OBE (Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands), David Moorcroft OBE (High Sheriff of the West Midlands) and Councillor Maureen Cornish (Lord Mayor of Birmingham) were in attendance.

Archbishop Bernard Longley, Lord Lieutenant John Crabtree and Lord Mayor Maureen Cornish each brought words of welcome at the start of the gathering. Bishop David Urquhart led the opening prayers. Deputy Lieutenant Beverley Lindsay OBE and Deacon Ruth Yorke read the Bible readings. Bishop Mike Royal delivered the address, in which he encouraged the congregation to follow the example set by athletes by living with a sense of discipline, focus and commitment. Worship songs were led by the Cathedral organist and by a worship band. The Birmingham City Council Workplace Choir and the Smile Community Children’s Choir each sang two songs.

BBC Radio WM’s Nikki Tapper interviewed Donna Fraser (Six-time 200-metre English Schools Champion and the 1991 400-metre European Junior Champion) and David Moorcroft (Former 5,000-metre world record holder). Donna and David spoke with passion and clarity about their life in athletics – and beyond – and about their involvement in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. Intercessions were led by children and young people from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Aston; St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, Newtown, and Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School, Small Heath. Following the service, the Church leaders, civic guests, choirs and congregation members gathered on the Cathedral Green, where the choirs sang the song, ‘Lean on me when you’re not strong.’

The Christian Churches of Birmingham and the West Midlands will continue to engage in and around the Commonwealth Games through such activities as chaplaincy, prayer, Gospel outreach and supporting the ‘It’s a penalty’ anti-human-trafficking campaign. More information HERE. Two weeks of unbroken worship and prayer begin this evening (Monday 25 July) at Elim Church Pheasey, Romney Way, Birmingham, B43 7TL (kindly loaned). Throughout the Games, church leaders, worship leaders and intercessors will raise a canopy of prayer over the midlands. All are welcome to participate. For more information, e-mail THIS ADDRESS.