Nearly 500 clergy and church leaders from across York, North Yorkshire and the East Riding attended the Diocese of York’s 'Called and Sent' conference, held at the University of York from July 23 to 25. The three-day event explored how churches can respond to changing community needs and strengthen their impact. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said: "Bringing together more than 500 clergy and lay leaders from across the Diocese of York has been a wonderful opportunity to share ideas, learn from one another and celebrate the many ways churches are already serving local communities. The conference featured speakers including education leader Sonia Thompson; the Bishop of Lancaster, Jill Duff; poet Malcolm Guite; and Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ, Director of the Vatican Observatory. Bishop Michael Curry, who delivered the sermon at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, addressed attendees virtually from the US due to ill health.