A SERVICE in Hindu and Urdu from the Diocese of Blackburn was chosen to feature as the national online service for the Church of England. 

The Diocese has been producing services in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and English with songs that include several in South Asian languages. 

The broadcast was led by the Rev Sarah Gill, Vicar of Blackburn St Stephen and St James, and featured the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, and the Bishop of Lancaster, the Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, who also delivered the sermon.

The Rev Sarah said: “As I continue to minister in cross-cultural context in the Church of England, I realise that Christians from different racial and cultural backgrounds are a great asset in the Church of England. 

“We share with the wider church the testimony of our faith nurtured and lived in the most difficult social and political circumstances.

“I feel privileged to work in this country and I hope that my presence becomes enabling both for me and others to confess that the love and saving power of Jesus in not confined to any particular culture, race or to regional boundaries.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Bishop Jill said: “In my sermon I highlighted the acceleration we have seen during lockdown. Acceleration in relationships – people coming together to work for the common good; acceleration in the use of technology – as parishes respond in an agile way to technology, with three out of four now offering some kind of online worship and acceleration in the Gospel, as I find I’m reaching the point of talking about Jesus much faster during everyday conversations.

“Our pioneering monthly multilingual services by the Rev Sarah Gill, called to England from Pakistan, are further fruit of this acceleration, reaching across our Diocese and now national and international boundaries. I am delighted the services have been recognised and amplified in this way.” 

Lancashire Telegraph:

Bishop Julian delivered The Blessing at the close of the national service. He said: “There is a strong South Asian Christian presence in our Diocese and in other Dioceses around the country.

“The service which Sarah prepared reflected perfectly the richness that people of different heritages bring to our congregations and to our worship. The body of Christ was truly represented in the service and it was a joy to be a part of.”