The new Archbishop of Canterbury will embark tomorrow (March 17th) on a 6-day walking pilgrimage from London to Canterbury, as part of her spiritual preparation for her Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March.It is the first time in modern history that an Archbishop of Canterbury has undertaken a pilgrimage of this nature in the lead-up to their Installation.The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, along with her husband Eamonn, will be walking the 140km route along the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral, reflecting her journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury.Walking along stretches of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica and the Augustine Camino, the group will join Morning and Evening Prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys en route, as well as meeting with other pilgrims and visiting schools and ecumenical organisations. Stops will include Southwark Cathedral,& Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral.The final stretch of the journey will see the pilgrims joined by David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, and members of the Cathedral chapter, to walk from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for Evensong on Sunday 22 March.A pilgrim’s passport has been specially produced for the journey, designed by pupils from Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham. The group will also give out prayer cards featuring a prayer written by pupils from The Archbishop's School in Canterbury.In her statement Archbishop Sarah explained: “As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route. For centuries, faithful pilgrims have flocked to Canterbury, and I will be reflecting on this tradition as we make our way through the Kent countryside and its towns and cities. I'm looking forward to visiting local churches, cathedrals and holy sites along the route - and to meeting people, praying with them and hearing their stories. As I walk this path I will be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage - a journey with God. As I begin this new chapter in my own life and ministry, I am grateful to be walking with God and with others.”
Please help us raise funds for Dunsfold Church by donating gifts to be sold at our toy stall at the village fete in May.We're looking for toys in good condition including games and books but we don't accept electrical goods.If you have toys you would like to donate by May 1st, please contact Sue on 01483 200286. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
On March 15th we will celebrate Mothering Sunday with a focus on the story of the Baby Moses.Come along to Funday@4, our service aimed at children, to hear a Bible story, sing songs, enjoy some craftwork and a light tea and cake. Yes, mums it makes life easier for you at tea-time. All ages welcome.As the name of our group suggests we start at 4pm at Dunsfold Church.
The Bishop of Dorking, The Rt Revd Paul Davies has announced the death of The Rt Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford. Bishop Andrew died peacefully on Tuesday 3 March surrounded by family, less than one month after he revealed a terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Prior to his death, he had shared his prognosis with the wider diocese, and he reassured them that he was “cheerfully persisting towards a good death”, and that his “faith in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, had only grown stronger”. He also reflected that he had been blessed with a loving family and the opportunity to fulfil a series of ministries in his “beloved Church of England”. Announcing the death in a letter to the diocese, Bishop Paul said: “Whilst his family mourn the loss of a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, we mourn the loss of a much-loved diocesan bishop – as well as an inspiring fellow disciple, dear brother in Christ, precious friend and special colleague.”“In the midst of the shock and sadness of the last few months, Bishop Andrew has been an inspiration. For me, personally, he has taught me so much about how we should live and, in these past months, about how we should die.”In his letter, Bishop Paul also encouraged the diocese that Bishop Andrew would want everyone to remain focused on “Jesus as our source of comfort, hope, salvation and strength.”Last week, an all-day prayer vigil was held at Guildford Cathedral, in which almost 2,000 clergy and lay people from across the diocese and beyond, joined together in a huge show of support and prayer for Bishop Andrew and his family.The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, very recently visited Bishop Andrew in his home. She said: “It is with great sorrow that I received news of Bishop Andrew’s death. Andrew was a man of deep Christian faith who lived his life in the service of Christ and others. In the face of death, he demonstrated a calm reassurance of God’s saving grace. “Over four decades of ministry, Andrew made an enormous contribution to the life of the Church of England – and, through his concern for Anglicans and other Christians around the world, the global church. He was a gentle man and generous with those who held differing theological views. He will be greatly missed, not just by his family and friends, but by the whole church. “At this time of grief and loss, I hold Beverly and their sons and daughters in my prayers, asking that God would comfort and strengthen them. I pray too for Andrew’s friends, colleagues and all those whose lives he touched. May Andrew rest in peace and rise in glory.”The Very Reverend Bob Cooper, Dean of Guildford Cathedral, said: “ It is with profound sadness, and with hearts full of gratitude to God, that the Dean and Chapter of Guildford Cathedral mourn the death of Bishop Andrew. We have lost a shepherd, a servant, and a dear friend.“A man of the Gospel, Bishop Andrew led not by command but by example, giving of his time and wisdom with an open hand and open heart. We give thanks for his life and ministry, and we grieve his passing — but not as those without hope."Run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." — Hebrews 12:1–2 Diocesan Secretary, Geraldine Newbold added: “This is a very sad time for our diocese. Bishop Andrew was such a wonderful, caring man, who was genuinely interested in people and loved spending time with parishioners. He was also incredibly gifted and knowledgeable, and we all learnt a lot from him. His love of God, of his family, and the wider diocesan family, shone through in all he did. It has been a privilege to work with him and we will miss him dearly.”Bishop Paul assumed interim leadership of the diocese just before Bishop Andrew’s death. You can read elsewhere on our website a prayer to mark the passing of Bishop of Andrew.
