There are moments when things change. When an idea gets traction. When a possibility begins to become a reality.
It was as we hosted Mayors Andy Burnham and Marvin Rees on a call in June, exploring Movement for Recovery as a concept and how the Church could work more effectively with the Civic, that such a moment occurred.
As we looked to end the call, Andy Burnham interrupted.
“Hang on, before we finish. Do we not need to think about how we scale this thing?”
And it was from there that Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, offered to host a meeting with the 10 Metro Mayors to explore taking a Movement for Recovery to a whole new level.
Spring forward to December and that call with the Metro Mayors was in motion. With insights from Lincoln, Nottingham, Bristol, London and of course Manchester on how the Church was working with civic authorities, Mayor Andy Burnham challenged the other Mayors on the call to start something similar in their regions. And that challenge was accepted!
Combined the 10 Metro Mayors serve a significant percentage of the population of England. What was particularly encouraging on the call was to hear the mayors appreciate the language of renewal. Rather than just returning to life before the pandemic, how do we create a better society.
Mayor Nik Johnson, of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, shared how his three values of ‘compassion, collaboration and community’ work brilliantly with the idea of a Movement for Recovery.
From that moment of inception, now the hard work begins. As we begin to move these conversations forward, there is a sense that God is doing something quite special. It’s clear that when the Church works collaboratively, there is an openness from the Civic to partner in “loving our neighbours as we love ourselves.” With a review meeting in the Spring, we would greatly appreciate your prayers as we work with church unity groups on the ground, connecting them with the Mayors and exploring what we can achieve together.
If you, or someone you know, would be good to connect with the Metro Mayor in your area, then do make contact with us here: ">
Andy Frost
Co CEO of Gather Movement
