Church leaders across Cumbria are encouraging congregations to gather in prayer for reconciliation as a Brexit ‘milestone’ approaches.

While EU leaders have agreed in principle to extend Brexit until 31 January 2020 - meaning the UK will not leave as planned on Thursday - a prayer hour is planned from 7pm to 8pm that day, with Christians across the county asked to pray that healing, love and respect be demonstrated by all, to all.

Congregations are also invited to light an Easter candle or three candles in a church – one for themselves, one for their neighbours and a third for those with whom they may disagree about Brexit.

In a joint statement, church leaders from across the denominations, said: “There is no doubt that, regardless of political standpoint, the Brexit process has been divisive, with opinions still polarised.

“As we approach the 31 October - what has been seen by many as a ‘Brexit milestone’ - we are charged as Christians to reach out in love to everyone, in a spirit of reconciliation, with a listening ear and a deep respect for others’ views.

“Our hope is that those with faith - and indeed those who may have no faith - are able to come together in their place of worship to pray for each other, their communities and the nation and to light three candles. The lighting of candles underlines that this is rooted in our Christian faith and our understanding that Jesus is the light of the world and that those who follow him will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.

“This is the beginning of a process of praying for reconciliation which together we will look to build upon in the coming weeks as the situation becomes clearer.”

Those church leaders supporting the prayer hour include:

• Major Roger Batt, Salvation Army Divisional Commander
• Bill Bewley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
• The Rev Andrew and Kath Dodd, Baptist Network Ministers
• The Rev Sarah Moore, President of the United Reformed Church in Cumbria
• The Rt Rev James Newcome, the Bishop of Carlisle (Church of England)
• The Rev David Pitkeathly, Church of Scotland
• The Rt Rev Paul Swarbrick, the Bishop of Lancaster (Roman Catholic)
• The Rev Dr James Tebbutt, Chair of the Cumbria District of the Methodist Church

ENDS