Last updated 18th February 2026

Centenary Build Up: Parish Mission Preparations

Supporting the 2026 Centenary Parish Mission Weekends

As part of the celebration of our Diocesan Centenary in 2026, Bishop Philip has called for a Diocesan-wide weekend of parish mission and outreach, between 11 and 13 September 2026.

The invitation is for every parish across the Diocese to put on a weekend in which simple, often fun events are held, to which both Christians and non-Christians can be invited, to enjoy themselves and to engage together - and at which there will be an accessible presentation of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

These Centenary weekends also offer us an opportunity to do something special with Sunday morning services, and to invite along those who perhaps haven't yet experienced the worship of the Church. 

It was so good to see so many of you in 2025 at the special deanery meetings to begin planning for the Diocesan Centenary parish mission weekends, to be held between 11th and 13th September 2026.

The energy and engagement at those meetings was very encouraging, as has been hearing from so many of you about your plans so far. Thank you for all you are doing. We are praying for you as you step out in mission! 

We are delighted to share with you three resources that will help you in your planning in the months ahead.

A Centenary Parish Mission Weekend planning guide

A practical, accessible guide to help you cover the most important elements of planning a parish mission weekend, which includes a suggested planning timeline and an appendix of helpful additional resources. 

​You can click here to download the .pdf version​.

Printed copies of this resource have also been sent out in January 2026, but if you would like further copies please do get in touch.

Extravagant Sowing course

This is a simple, 3 part course, based around 3 short videos and some accompanying session notes. It has been designed to use individually or in small groups, to help participants think about how to pray for others, invite others, and share our stories of faith, ahead of the mission weekends. 

​You can click here to access the videos and session notes​.

A preloaded USB drive was also sent out in January 2026. If you need further copies of this, please do get in touch. The course is also available via the diocesan Fruitful app.

Follow-up course webinars

We have planned a 90-minute webinar to help parishes understand the various enquirers and follow-up courses that are available, with advice on how to run them well. This session will be repeated twice, on Weds 3rd June and Mon 8th June, at 7pm.

Click here to book.  

And finally...

Please don't forget our forthcoming study days on evangelistic speaking and preaching, for all licensed clergy, LLMs, PTOs and ALMs. We have had an extraordinary response so far, but there is still time and space to book in! 

Please click here for further details and booking links.  

Many thanks once again for all you are doing to lead and equip your parishes to make the most of this exciting opportunity. Please do be in touch if you require any additional support. My team would be delighted to help.

Blessings,

Steve

Rev’d Steve Haskett

Director of Mission

For any further information please contact Rev'd Steve Haskett, (Diocesan Renewal Lead) at steve.haskett@blackburn.anglican.org, Rev'd Sarah O'Donoghue (Diocesan Renewal Officer) at sarah.odonoghue@blackburn.anglican.org or Janet Sanderson (Operations Facilitator to the Diocesan Renewal Programme) at janet.sanderson@blackburn.anglican.org