‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…’

The diocesan rule of life is all about discipleship. We are called to deepen our relationship with God in order that we may go out into the world to ‘tell, serve and give’. On Saturday 13th September, a free day conference will take place in the Cathedral that seeks to address the first of these ‘outputs’ – to ‘tell’.

We know that for so many Christians, sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ can be challenging. This is true for Christians across all the traditions of the church, and yet, as Jesus says in countless places in the gospels, it is something that we are all called to do.

The first of the five marks of mission, so fundamental to us as Anglicans, couldn’t be clearer, all the baptized are to ‘proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom’.

So, often despite taking the call to deeper relationship with God seriously, we can feel underprepared for this task.

The Chapter of the Transfiguration, a group of traditional Anglo-Catholic clergy from across the Diocese has made the sharing of faith the common theme of our parishes over the last twelve months; resourcing the people of God has been our priority. We have prepared this conference as part of our programme for the year.

We would be delighted if disciples from across the Diocese would share with us in this event, and whilst reflecting the catholic tradition in the Church of England, it open to anyone, of any tradition, for we have all received the same task, to speak the Good News.

We believe that ‘there is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed’ (Evangelii Nuntiandi).

Ready with a Reason will begin at 10.15 am (the Cathedral doors open at 10.00 am) and concludes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a commission at 3.50/4.00 pm.

The day will open with some thoughts on evangelisation from Bishop Ruth and I before the keynote address from Bishop Lindsay Urwin, a renowned evangelist and sometime Bishop of Horsham.

The day will include the sharing of a number of testimonies, the celebration of the eucharist by the Bishop Stephen Race, and there will be an exciting Q&A on Evangelisation with a panel which includes Rachel Gardener from the Diocese of Blackburn, who specialises in evangelism to young people.

Every aspect of this day has been designed to both renew and equip so that the people of God may be confident in proclaiming the gospel to this and every generation.

We are conscious that prayer must undergird all our preparation, so please do pray for the conference (a prayer can be found below), and equally as important, please do come along, and bring a friend!

It would be very helpful if you could register your attendance by booking online, by visiting: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/readywithareason

Clergy should book separately to indicate if the wish to robe for the opening act of worship (this is necessary for safeguarding reasons), please be aware robing is open to anyone who holds a license or PTO.

‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…’

Be ready, with a reason.

I hope to see many of you on 13th September.

Fr Daniel Howard

Vicar, St Columba’s, Anfield

Prayer for the conference:

Almighty God,

you have instructed your people

to be ready with a reason

for the hope that is within them:

bless our conference, that through it,

we may be equipped to proclaim your salvation,

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever. Amen.