Week Ahead: Dr John Sentamu to preach in virtual service on last day in office as Archbishop of York
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Coronavirus
Since the lockdown began, schools have only remained open to vulnerable children and those of key workers. From today, that is to begin to change.
Some schools will start to open more widely, with children in reception, year one and year six set to go back first.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAddressing the nation last Thursday, Boris Johnson said that closing schools had “deprived children of their education”.
“As so often, it is the most disadvantaged pupils who risk being hardest hit,” he said.
But some local authorities, teaching unions and parents have expressed concerns about more staff and children returning to schools.
Sheffield City Council, for example, last week advised schools in the city not to open to more pupils, citing fears that the NHS Test and Trace system would not yet be “robust enough” and advising a delay in increasing numbers until June 15 instead.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOther changes coming into play today include car showrooms and outdoor markets being permitted to re-open.
And people in England will also be able to gather outdoors in socially-distanced groups of up to six, both in public parks and private gardens.
Parliament
A series of parliamentary committee meetings due to be held this week are to continue to look both at the impact of the coronavirus and also at the management of the outbreak.
Inquiries will be taking evidence on the effect the virus has had on business and workers, the prison, probation and court systems, international trade and on education and children’s services.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFormer chancellors George Osborne, Lord Darling and Philip Hammond will also give evidence on the economic impact of coronavirus.
The Home Affairs Committee has a virtual meeting scheduled on Wednesday to continue its examination of the Home Office’s preparations for and response to Covid-19 and on the same day, the Health and Social Care Committee will be continuing its consideration of the management of the coronavirus by the Government and its agencies.
Other committee business worth keeping an eye on is an evidence session in the inquiry into the security of 5G, which is set to be held on Tuesday.
Archbishop
The Archbishop of York is due to preach as part of a national online service broadcast by the Church of England on Sunday morning. The service will be given on the last day of his role in office as Archbishop.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDr John Sentamu said he was pleased to be involved in the online service, adding: “Like many of us, I too, am missing being able to worship alongside others.”
Dr Sentamu confirmed back in 2018 that he would retire from his position after nearly 15 years this June. In that time, the Ugandan-born cleric has spread the Church’s message of hope to his 75,000 Twitter followers.
He’s not been afraid to make great gestures and in December 2007, he tore up his dog collar on national television in protest at Robert Mugabe’s inhumanity in Zimbabwe and refused to wear it again until the dictator had been deposed.
Before being appointed as the 97th Archbishop of York in November 2005, he had been Bishop of Stepney and Bishop for Birmingham.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe will officially retire on Sunday, three days prior to his 71st birthday.
The Church of England online service will be available to watch live or on replay via the Church’s website or Facebook page.
For more stories from the YP Magazine and The Yorkshire Post features team, visit our Facebook page.
Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAlmost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.
And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.
Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.
If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.
Sincerely. Thank you.
James Mitchinson
Editor