19th August 2026

Countdown continues to centenary mission weekend involving parishes across Lancashire

Parishes across the County are putting the finishing touches to their plans for our huge Centenary Parish Mission Weekend taking place from September 11-13.

There will be a huge variety of events across those three days, all designed to reach as many people as possible in the County who may not currently go to church and don't know Jesus.

You are asked to be encouraging involvement in as many ways as you can; anchoring everything with prayer. 

• Keep sharing your events with us on socials and by emailing janet.sanderson@blackburn.anglican.org or communicate@blackburn.anglican.org 
• Plenty of mission weekend advice and help is available here on the Diocesan website - including for events aimed at children and young people as well as adults
• Please also ensure you post all your mission weekend events onto your parish 'A Church Near You' page as well on the www.achurchnearyou.com website

Our Digital Communications Team will be popping up at some of the events across the weekend and will be compiling video and picture highlights to issue, alongside other posts and coverage - including stories on the Diocesan website and in the local media.

Of course, the team can only attend a few of the hundreds of events taking place in person so it's vital to make sure you tag the Diocesan accounts for reposts when you post to social media about your events before or during the mission.

Those are the Diocesan Facebook and Instagram accounts and the Board of Education's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Director of Mission for the Diocese, Rev Steve Haskett, said: "We are really excited for what God is going to do across Lancashire. Please remember to PRAY first and then - crucially - INVITE people to come so they have chance to hear the Gospel message. Spread the word about what you are doing in any way you can - from the more traditional, like leaflet drops and parish magazines, to news on your social media channels."