THE Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend John Sentamu, has been in the Isle of Man this weekend to launch The Sodor Partnership, a new trust set up to work with the Island's community.
At a dinner hosted by The Sodor Partnership at St John’s Mill on Friday evening, Archbishop Sentamu and other guests of the Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Right Reverend Robert Paterson, heard the Bishop describe the venture and, with the help of Scripture Union Ministries Team, Isle of Man, they were introduced to some areas of need that have been identified in the community in advance of setting up the trust.
The Sodor Partnership will give particular emphasis to projects involving young people and families and the trust has asked to be associated with the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust which operates throughout the north of England and the Island.
Bishop Robert said the Sodor Partnership Trust defines 'community and church' in the widest possible way and wishes to support projects that add value to life.
The independent trustees, appointed by the Bishop, will build up funds in order to support initiatives for the benefit of community and church in the Island.
Guests at the dinner on Friday evening included representatives of voluntary, community, government and church organisations as well as business people.
The dinner was part of the process of looking for people who share the vision and are willing to become supporters.
There has been a positive response and several people had already expressed interest in advance of the event in offering expertise or becoming tustees.
Because the Sodor Partnership will work with the Bishop, projects supported will be those with some level of Anglican input but the intention is to work with people of other Christian traditions and in conjunction with secular agencies including voluntary organisations, community groups and government.
Bishop Robert said: "It is a small contribution to 'The Big Society' that already exists on this Island."
Left to right: The Bishop of Sodor and Man the Right Reverend Robert Paterson, the Archbishop of York, Most Reverend John Sentamu and Sodor Partnership trustees Peter Davidson and Bob Jeavons
