Prayer Baton reaches St Nic's Cathedral, Newcastle, ahead of Olympic Torch!
17/06/2012
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Revd Martin Wharton (pictured with Pastor Alan Dickinson of Whitley Bay Churches Together), welcomed the 'Prayer Baton' which is preceding the Olympic Torch when it reached St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle, on Friday 15th June.
Organised by More Than Gold, the churches' response to the London 2012 Olympics, the Prayer Baton is part of a 70-day cascade of creative prayer the length and breadth of our land.
The Prayer Relay is tracking the same dates and route as the official Torch Relay as a way for individuals and churches to pray for their communities, the Games and the nations.
The Prayer Baton contains prayers and blessings from the previous city that the Olympic Torch has visited en route. These prayers are offered to God and new prayers and blessings are placed inside the baton ready to be passed on to the next city. Among the prayers being said are those commissioned by the Church of England for the Olympic Torch relay.
The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Dean of Newcastle, said: “We are delighted that the Cathedral played a full part in welcoming the Olympic Torch and Prayer Baton to Newcastle. The Choir accompanied by other musicians was on the square to entertain the crowds and support the saying of prayers by the Bishop. This was a great opportunity for us to celebrate our national life.”
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www.morethangold.org.uk
www.stnicholascathedral.co.uk
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