York Minster ~ a magnificent church where we worshipped with 500+ like minded folks last night. This experience will be one I remember for a very long time. The beauty of voices raised in praise to our God set in a ~800 year old church. It was incredible to be present with fellow Christians so many miles away from home and yet feel so welcome.
'Thy Kingdom Come' was a 10 day prayer initiative launched by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Words from Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu - "My sincere hope is that our 'Thy Kingdom Come' prayers will inspire us further to seek God's kingdom of justice, mercy and peace, in our communities here and throughout God's world. I pray that many in this Diocese may be given fresh boldness to share Christ with friends and neighbours."
York Minster, built over 250 years, between 1220 and 1472. This is a cathedral as well as a minster. A minster is a church that was established during Anglo-Saxon times as a missionary teaching church, or a church attached to a monastery.
A different angle of York Minster.
A banner they had hung for this event. It had to be very large to hug these pillars.
Gathering of 'Thy Kingdom Come' - we began with 'How Great Thou Art'. If you can imagine the chorus being sung by a 500+ congregation and the sound reverberating off these ancient stone pillars. Certainly one of the highlights of this trip thus far.
Just before the service started - the ceiling was very far away!!
York City Walls - since Roman times, York has been defended by walls of one form or another. To this day, substantial portions of the walls remain and York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. The walls are generally 13 feet high and 6 feet wide.
Another shot of the walls - we are hoping to walk the full length of them today.
A shop completely dedicated to selling hats. Perusing which fascinator I should purchase to wear in Kentville. Just kidding!
Ancient walls still standing in a lovely green space in this city.
How would you like to write this street name on all forms? It's the shortest street in York (I believe with the longest name?). In 1505 it was known as Whitnourwhatnourgate, meaning "what a street!" but was changed later to this.
This one is for all the Harry Potter fans out there. Parts of the filming of this movie were located here in York.
They do a ghost walk every evening through York - this fellow was promoting it and I caught Andrew in the photo as well - right outside 'The Shop That Must Not Be Named'.
This is where you park your broom! The shop had a wonderful assortment of wands.
There is a wonky part of this city called 'The Shambles'. It is a very old street with overhanging timber buildings, some dating back as far as the 14th century. This is the side entry to the street. The
Harry Potter film designers studied this street to create Diagon Alley.
A long view of 'The Shambles'. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles, probably from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels, the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat. Shambles is an obsolete term for an open-air slaughterhouse and meat market.
Another of the wonky buildings.
At the end of the street is this shop. I'm not sure why it hasn't caved completely in on itself.
What a great time you are having! So glad for you
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