This week, more than 1800 year six pupils from 52 different schools have been welcomed to Durham Cathedral for leavers’ services as they prepare to transition to secondary school.
The five interactive services, organised by the diocesan Growing Younger team took place over three days. The theme of “Let Your Light Shine” encouraged the children to consider how they can let their faith guide them and follow Jesus’ example as they build new friendships and meet new people at their new schools.
The week was a real team effort, with Cathedral clergy involved in welcoming and blessing, various volunteers leading activity stations and even staff and students from local secondary schools gave up their time to support.
Each day featured a different guest speaker with The Rt Revd Rick Simpson (Bishop of Durham), The Ven Katherine Bagnall (Archdeacon of Sunderland) and James Shelton (Director of the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer) each taking a turn.
Megan Rawling from Soul Children Darlington led the children in inspiring worship including actions before the children were invited to take part in three prayer space activities: the creation of a paper lantern, a parachute prayer space mat for quiet reflection and self-reflection activity where children were encouraged to think about their gifts and talents and how they can help others.
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