Enthronement of Bishop June
In her Enthronement Sermon Bishop June said,
“I believe truly, madly and deeply in pastoral ministry
within a local context. You may sometimes hear me
described as a ‘strategic leader’ but most of my
strategies will be to empower and strengthen the impact
of the local church in what the Church in Wales does
best, sacramental life in the public and pastoral life of
families and communities. That begins with shaping the
imagination of our neighbours.” Professor Norman Doe acted as Proctor for Bishop June
at the Sacred Synod at Brecon Cathedral.
A small group from
St Edward's went
to Flanders this
week to attend
memorial services
marking the centenary
of the Battle
of Passchendaele,
which is thought to
have claimed
250,000 lives from
both sides between
31 Jul-10 Nov 1917.
We visited the
grave of each of the 9 soldiers on St Edward's memorial
who died during this battle. We planted a Welsh flag
with a thankful tribute, and sang 'Mae hen wlad fy'n
hadau' around each grave. It was a very moving
experience to be present at the centenary events, and to
be able to fulfil our church promise to remember their
sacrifice.
We visited and honoured: William Beer, Herbert Howitt,
Percy Hier Davies (Tyne Cot cemetery); John Lewis
Jenkins (Vlamertinghe cemetery); William Valentine
Morgan (Bus House cemetery); Philip Charles Wyatt
(Lijssenthoek cemetery); Frederick William Percy Ham
(Canada Farm cemetery); George Thomas Dupe
(Ramscappelle Rd cemetery); Frederick Charles Keevil
(Zuydecoote cemetery). We also honoured Bruce
Carlton Richards, who was killed some months before
Passchendaele, and is buried a few rows away from
Tom Dupe at Ramscappelle Rd cemetery.
13th Archbishop of Wales is Bishop John Davies, who
has served as the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon for the past
nine years. Having been the ‘lead Bishop’ for Church and
Society issues, Archbishop John is profoundly interested in
matters of social justice and has spoken out on a range of
issues, including homelessness and housing, rural problems,
organ donation, assisted dying and poverty. As a former
church chorister, organist and choirmaster, he has a
passionate interest in church music being ‘done well’, whether
complex musical settings or just simple hymns and songs,
believing that it can do much to enhance quality, spirituality
and effectiveness of many an act of worship.
Inaugural Bekynton Lecture
Norman Doe gave the inaugural Bekynton Lecture in Law
and Religion at Wells Cathedral in October. The biennial
lecture is a collaboration between Wells Cathedral, Harris and
Harris Solicitors, and the Cardiff University Centre for Law and
Religion. Thomas Bekynton (1390-1465) was a notable canon
lawyer, Dean of the Court of Arches (1423), and Bishop of
Bath and Wells (1443). Over 80 people attended the lecture
which was followed by the book launch of N. Doe, The Legal
Architecture of English Cathedrals (Routledge, 2017).
Enthronement of Archbishop John
Heather's "selfie" at the Enthronement!
St Anne's Memorial Panels
The Memorial Panels which used to form part of St
Anne’s pulpit are now displayed on the south wall of the
chancel at St Edward’s. We are grateful to Mr Robert
Stogdon for his excellent work restoring and mounting
them in their new home. They were rededicated on All Saints Sunday at the 11am Eucharist.
Forget Me Not Christmas Party
A very successful first 8 months of Forget Me Not Cafe completed with the Christmas Party on 19th December.
