Hundreds of people engaged with the Manifesto for Hope themes during this year’s Pentecost celebration.
This year’s gathering, entitled “Many Voices – One Faith,” saw churches and organisations come together to walk between Liverpool’s two Cathedrals in a celebration of unity, partnership and shared faith, on Sunday May 24th.
Beginning at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and finishing at Liverpool Cathedral, the annual Pentecost walk commemorates the “Mersey miracle” – the reconciliation fostered between Anglican Bishop David Sheppard and Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock.
A key focus of this year’s event was the Manifesto for Hope in our City Region, with stalls representing each of the nine Manifesto priorities.
Co-ordinated by Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (CTMR), the stalls gave visitors the opportunity to explore how churches, charities and community organisations are already working together to put the Manifesto themes into action across the Liverpool City Region.
Together Liverpool supported the event with a stall focusing on the ninth manifesto priority: A vision for hope. Our staff member Fran D’Arcy, CTMR/Together Liverpool Faith in the City Lead Development Officer, spoke with attendees about the Faith in the City work, and the role churches can play in supporting flourishing communities.
Around 700 people attended the celebration. Visitors stopped to explore the pull-up banners representing each Manifesto pledge, pick up copies of the Manifesto and reflect on the prayer displayed at both Cathedrals.
Fran said: “It was really encouraging to see so many people engaging with the Manifesto themes and taking time to talk about the hopes they have for our communities. The atmosphere throughout the day was incredibly positive and it was wonderful to see churches and organisations representing each of the Manifesto priorities coming together in such a visible way.”
Other stalls representing the nine Manifesto themes included:
- A renewed vision of human society – L’Arche
- The rebuilding of trust – Centre for Theology & Community
- Courageous honesty – The Gather Movement
- Constructive partnership – Churches Together in the Merseyside Region
- True equality – Catholic Association for Racial Justice
- Harmony and cohesion – Liverpool Interfaith Group
- No one feels alone – The Celebrate Recovery group at The Mount, St Helens
- Faith in business – Mission in the Economy
- A vision of hope – Together Liverpool
The Manifesto for Hope, launched by churches across the Liverpool City Region last year, outlines a shared vision rooted in justice, belonging, wellbeing and human flourishing.
The day was a powerful reminder of the strength of partnership across churches and communities, and of the shared commitment to building hope across the Liverpool City Region.
Everyone is welcome to download and share the Manifesto for Hope in our City Region.
