Bishop of Birmingham holds shoe shine event

Mar 20 2008 By Gary Marks

JESUS washed his disciples' feet and church leaders in Birmingham will be offering a 21st century footwash today.

The Bishop of Birmingham, the Dean and church leaders from across the Birmingham Diocese will be outside the Cathedral in St Philip’s Square and offer passers-by a shoe shine.

The Cathedral shoe shine has been organised to celebrate Maundy Thursday – the day when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper.

It is also the day when about 200 clergy from the diocese gather in the Cathedral to renew ordination vows.

Bishop David Urquhart said: "Maundy Thursday is the day the church remembers the passover meal Jesus shared with his friends and followers.

"That meal was the foundation for the meal we still share in churches today – Holy Communion.

"The shoe shine is just a small demonstration that people who follow Jesus are prepared to roll up their sleeves and serve their communities." During Lent, the 40 days of preparation for Easter, Bishop David has been praying in schools, workplaces, hospitals, churches, playgroups and lunch clubs.