16th September 2025

Bishop's Harvest Appeal 2025

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.  Psalm 24:1

The Diocese of Blackburn has a long history of valuing links with other parts of the Anglican Communion. 

In fact, it is widely believed that the link between Blackburn and Bloemfontein is the oldest such link in the Anglican Communion.

This year, for our Bishop’s Harvest Appeal, we are encouraging our parishes and schools to learn about the lives of Christians in the Free State and support a number of projects. 

Bishop Dintoe, Bishop of the Free State, has identified a number of priorities which our appeal can support.  These are:

• Training and formation of vocation candidates and clergy;
• Developing ministry to boys and young men; 
• Assisting the Mothers' Union and Diocesan Gender Coordinator in Gender Based Violence workshops;
• Carrying out environmental workshops in safeguarding the sanctity of the earth.

The diocese of the Free State has eight archdeaconries with a total of 69 parishes.  Most recently, Tash Green, a member of the Link Diocese Committee, Elisabeth Sawle and Joy Rushton visited 27 of these parishes.  

Tash Green supporting the Mosamaria After School Club.  Photo credit Elisabeth Sawle

Bishop Philip's Pedal-along

This year's Bishop's Harvest Appeal is under way and it will raise funds to support several projects in our link Diocese of Free State in South Africa.

And to encourage further giving, Bishop Philip is organising a ‘Pedal-along’. 

On Friday, 17 October, he will be going on a bike ride around the entire Diocese during which he will visit and pray in one school or church in every single one of our 14 Deaneries.

Each Deanery will give the Bishop a special prayer to read and take to hand on to the next one as he travels across the County. 

His proposed schedule is available below (subject to changes) and will be publicised in future editions of Parish Update and on our social media channels. Please note that you can donate by credit card and cheque now and via the Parish Giving Scheme from Wednesday, 1 October. See more below about ways to donate. 

• Download the Pedal-Along poster here
• Download the Pedal-Along logo here

Ways to donate

• You can donate online using a credit card by clicking here.  
• You can donate through the Parish Giving Scheme, from the 1st October, by clicking here.
•  You can donate by cheque, payable to 'Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance Limited (Diocese Harvest Appeal)' and send to Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance, Diocesan Office, Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE
• You can scan the QR code on the right with your smartphone which will take you to the donation page where you can also Gift Aid your payment.

Proposed schedule for the Pedal-along: 

(Subject to change)

Ronnie Semley, August 2025 with regular updates since