Archbishop of York in Middlesbrough

During 2006 and early 2007 the Archbishop of York visited each Deanery in the York Diocese, which stretches from the Tees to the Humber and from the A19 to the East Coast.

Dr Sentamu spent the morning meeting privately with the local clergy from the Middlesbrough Deanery to learn about their parishes and jobs before getting out and about in the afternoon, accompanied by Rural Dean of Middlesbrough the Revd Canon Erik Wilson.

At 1.30pm the Archbishop arrived at King's Manor School . He met the school's Head of Religious education, Rachel Conway, and Laura Henderson, a church schools' worker employed by Middlesbrough Baptist church in partnership with St Barnabas' Church, Linthorpe. Laura Henderson also leads a team of Youth For Christ volunteers in the area.

Archbishop Sentamu watched two short performances by pupils before joining a year 11 (GCSE year, aged 15 - 16) class of pupils completing the full Religious Education GCSE course, for a question-and-answer session.

Before leaving, the Archbishop prayed for the school with Christian members of staff (who meet for this purpose each week) and members of a lunch group of pupils, some of whom are Christians and some are seeking faith.

At 3.00pm the Archbishop called on the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, at the Town Hall. Mr Mallon is one of thirteen directly-elected Mayors in England, and was elected in 2002. Ray Mallon said: "Dr Sentamu is a man I have admired from a distance since his appointment. I get the impression he is very much a hands-on Archbishop, committed to meeting and keeping in touch with the people of his diocese. This is what people like to see in their leaders. I am delighted Dr Sentamu is taking the trouble to visit Middlesbrough and I have been very much looking forward to meeting him."

Later, Archbishop Sentamu visited the Kara Project in South Bank. Greeted by Project Manager Tina Juko, he met members of a young people's group and learned about some of the Project's other activities such as parenting support and arts and crafts. Dr Sentamu met other users of the Project's services together with staff, volunteers and two Trustees. The Kara project was started by South Bank Churches' Family Action which includes the local Methodist, Baptist, Church of England and Mission churches. It runs in partnership with Spurgeon's Childcare, a national Christian child care agency.

At 7.00pm the Archbishop attended an open 'Meet Your Archbishop' meeting for local church members and the public at St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Marton . Following a short act of worship, he spoke to the meeting before answering questions form the floor.

Dr Sentamu said, "I've been looking forward to this day in Middlesbrough because it's such a busy and vibrant place, and the churches make a real contribution to the life of the communities here. Churches are working together to offer people a spiritual lead in the schools, and to meet practical and urgent needs through projects like Kara. It's good to see the churches and church people so committed to the neighbourhoods around them, and standing up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ - about love, acceptance, forgiveness and hope."