More than 1000 pupils representing 41 schools from across Lancashire recently attended the Diocesan Board of Education’s biggest-ever Year 6 Leaver’s Service at Blackburn Cathedral.

Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, was at the Cathedral to welcome the children and threw himself into all the activities and fun alongside them.

The Bishop was joined by Christian performer and singer/songwriter Chip Kendall who officially opened the event with one of his own songs called ‘Love Where You Live’; also the theme of the service.

Organised by staff from the Diocesan Board of Education liaising with the Cathedral, there was more music from Chip; lots of dancing, with the Bishop joining in. Lisa Fenton, Primary Schools Adviser, led the children in an activity where they brought decorated cardboard boxes to the front of the cathedral and were helped to build a ‘wall of prayer’.

The boxes had Christian values on the outside and prayers for making the world a better place on the inside.

The children also heard a rousing talk from Bishop Philip on how they can make a big difference in the world, using the passage from 1 Timothy 4:12 as the basis of what he said to his young audience: “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

The Bishop added: “Have a big vision, a tight focus, tough courage and love for everyone.”

Iain Parks, Diocesan Director of Education, was hugely encouraged to see so many children as they prepared to move on to their next stage of education at high school. He commented today: “The service was a profound celebration of our primary school pupils' achievements and their limitless potential. As we gathered, we not only honoured their journey but also prayerfully prepared them for their roles as future 'world changers’.

“The sight of 1000 young people uniting in celebration, worship, and growth was truly inspiring. The spirit of unity and purpose displayed gives us great hope for the positive change these young individuals, empowered by faith and community support, will bring to their future schools and beyond.”

And Lisa Fenton added: “It was such a joy to worship with so many members of our Church School family and send them off to High School with the words of the Gospel ringing in their ears, a wooden cross in their pockets and a Good News New Testament in their hands. Chip Kendall was great; his modern music and enthusiastic style got everybody dancing including Bishop Philip!”

Captions for the photographs above, top to bottom:
All pictures By Heather Lee for Blackburn Diocese

1. Bishop Philip gives talk based on 1 Timothy 4:12
2. Children from Broughton Primary School with their Good News Bibles which were gifted to every child as part of the Leaver’s Assembly. Also pictured, l-r, Lisa Fenton, Primary Schools’ Adviser; Chip Kendall and Fred Kershaw from Good News for Everyone (formerly known the Gideons)
3. Chip Kendall teaching Bishop Philip dance moves
4. Children dancing to the songs at Blackburn Cathedral
5. The event team including staff from the Board of Education and wider diocesan staff teams alongside Chip Kendall
6. Director of Education Iain Parks addresses the children
7. The wall of prayer boxes decorated with Christian values

Chip Kendall Website: https://www.orbitronlive.com/chip-kendall

Soul Children Website: https://soulchildrenuk.com/

Good News for Everyone Website: https://goodnewsuk.com/