HISTORY MADE AT CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL
History was made last night when the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Revd John Gladwin installed the first Quaker as an ecumenical canon of the Church of England. Mrs Jennifer Hodgkin of the Religious Society of Friends in Essex and Suffolk, was honoured with three other church leaders at a special ceremony in the Cathedral.
Three non-residentiary canons also installed were the Revd Ivor Moody, chaplain of Anglia- Ruskin University, the Revd Pat Prestney, rector of St Mary's Church, Lawford and the Revd Peter Walker, rector of St James and St Paul, Colchester. Mr Moody is also an honorary chaplain at the Cathedral.
In his address, Bishop John said that not so many years ago members of the Church of England put Quakers in Colchester prison for their beliefs. Today, they shared in the on-going work towards Christian unity. History was made: an ecumenical first. ( More information is available from the Director of Communications, Ralph Meloy on 01245 294405. (Photographs available on request )
FOCUS ON AFGHANISTAN
"A job to die for?" is the theme of the next meeting of the Chelmsford Theological Society meeting on Wed, March 4 when the speaker is the Revd Dr Giles Fraser who will speak on the ethics, the Army and the country of Afghanistan. Dr Fraser is the Rector of Putney. The meeting is in the Cathedral at 8pm; admission is £3.50.
FOCUS ON PANCAKES
A Pancake party was held for young families at the Chapter House on yesterday (Feb 22) led by the Cathedral's Youth and Young Families Officer, Philip Stamper. Games and activities were held and children held competitions on pancake tossing.
FOCUS ON CHARITY
Dr Richard Spilsbury announced at the cathedral yesterday that £659 was raised by families attending the annual Christingle service in December in aid of the Children's Society. More than 600 people packed the Cathedral for the event on Christmas Eve.
FOCUS ON LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
The concert on Friday will be given by the Forest School Chamber Orchestra and on the following Friday (March 6) Stephen Moore, organ scholar of Salisbury Cathedral will give at recital. Both concerts at 12.30. Refreshments are served from 12 noon.
ENDS