All Saints Multi Academy Trust hosts inspiring Service of Blessing at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

L-R Canon Rev Stuart Haynes, Archbishop John Sherrington, CEO of All Saints Multi Academy Trust, Heather Duggan at the service

All Saints Multi Academy Trust recently came together at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for its annual Service of Blessing, a celebration of growth and shared faith among its unique family of schools.

The service was led by Canon Rev Stuart Haynes, vice chair of All Saints Multi Academy Trust, and marked the first major event attended by the new Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Rev John Sherrington, who played a special role in blessing the Trust community. Together, they offered prayers, reflections, and blessings that celebrated the Trust's ongoing growth and commitment to faith and education.

The special service was attended by students, staff, governors, and stakeholders from across the Trust's academies located in Liverpool, Sefton, and St Helens.

Sponsored by both the Diocese of Liverpool and the Archdiocese of Liverpool, All Saints Multi Academy Trust is founded on the ecumenical partnership of Bishop David Sheppard and Archbishop Derek Worlock, which began in the late 1970s and developed through the 1980s. Their belief that communities 'better together' remain central to the Trust's mission today.

The event celebrated the unique and exceptional Christian identities of the expanding family of academies. This academic year, Trinity St Peter's Church of England Primary School, Formby, and St Michael's Church of England Academy, Crosby, proudly joined the Trust.

The service commenced with a procession, where students proudly carried framed logos of their respective schools. The event featured uplifting hymns, scripture readings, and a poem written by a student from Hope Academy, all centred around the themes of love, friendship and service.

The Trust choir, made up of children from each academy, delivered moving performances that resonated with the congregation.

Rev Canon Stuart Haynes offered a reflective sermon on togetherness and service, while Archbishop John Sherrington read from the Gospel of John and spoke of the deep friendship Christ calls all people into - a friendship built on love, sacrifice, and service to others.

The ceremony concluded with a blessing of school badges and the congregation, symbolising the shared journey of the Trust's growing community.

CEO of All Saints Multi Academy Trust, Miss Heather Duggan, said: "Our Service of Blessing has quickly become the highlight of the year within the Trust. Events like this remind us of the strength we have when we come together in faith and purpose.

"The participation of children from across all our academies, through music, prayer, readings, and poetry, showcases the amazing talent and dedication within our Trust.

Miss Duggan added: "We are incredibly grateful to Archbishop John Sherrington for joining us this year and for his thoughtful and inspiring message. I would also like to thank Rev Canon Stuart Haynes for leading the service. This event truly captured the spirit of being 'Better Together'."

All Saints Multi Academy Trust is a unique joint faith multi academy trust based in Liverpool.
The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, The Academy of St Nicholas, Hope Academy, St Michael's Church of England Academy, St Margaret's Church of England Academy, St Margaret's Church of England Sixth Form, All Saints Sixth Form College, Faith Primary Academy, St Mary's Catholic Infant and Junior Academies, St Teresa of Lisieux Catholic Primary Academy, St Cleopas CE Primary Academy and Trinity St Peter's Church of England Primary School are members of the trust.