The diocese has honoured and thanked Churchwardens for their spiritual leadership at a pre-Feast of Pentecost virtual service.  Following the well-received Zoom service for licensed Clergy and Readers in the Diocese on Maundy Thursday, a further pan-Diocesan virtual event gathered 260 people across the Diocese on 26 May for a Diocesan Service for the Commissioning of the People of God before the Feast of Pentecost.

Bishop Robert presided, and lay officers from chaplaincies across the Diocese contributed readings from Scripture from the Acts of the Apostles, Ezekiel and the Gospel according to Matthew, and offered prayers of intercession.  You can find the Order of Service here. During the service, each member of the congregation lit a candle to signify the risen light of Christ present in the world and in our lives.

Bishop David preached the sermon, commending the work of Churchwardens in the Diocese:

“… Churchwardens, our gathering today is to honour you, in particular, and to thank you for your spiritual leadership during what has been a memorable Lent, Passiontide, Eastertide in the life of the Church.  It has been a holy season unlike anything we could have imagined.  But you, along with your clergy and Readers, and other key laity, have been creative, committed, and inspiring in leading the Church’s life in lockdown.  We commend you, Churchwardens, for your part in exercising spiritual leadership, and, as foremost among the laity, in encouraging your sisters and brothers in their discipleship.”

Bishop David said the Coronavirus crisis has shown that, "even in our modern 21st century, scientifically astute and sophisticated people are hungry for faith" in this time of global pandemic.  The big question for our Church leadership is how to “respond to that hunger in people, in the new normal we are entering.”  Bishop David quoted the prophetic insight of Cardinal Bo of Rangoon, offered recently, that we should:

“Take advantage of the time to find and live the rhythms and relationships that you want to characterise our future.  Take the time to pray and try to understand how this world works. Imagine and prepare for a changed world.”

Bishop David added that this time is "a chance to reform and make our Church and its work and witness in the world even better.”   

Here you can read Bishop David's sermon in full.

Following the service, there was a Question & Answer session with Bishops and Diocesan Senior Staff, which provided an opportunity to discuss updated Coronavirus guidance on public worship issued by our Bishops, and other topics of interest raised by members of the Diocese.

A video of this Diocesan event will be posted on our Diocese in Europe YouTube channel.

+++

Service of the Word for Pentecost Sunday at Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral, Brussels

Bishop Robert will preach the sermon from his home in a Pentecost Sunday Service of the Word at Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral, Brussels.

You are invited warmly to join this live stream service, which starts at 10h30 CET, on the HTB Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/holytrinitybrussels/live

+++

Related News

• Maundy service
• New Coronation podcast launched
• Lay learning course good to go – sign up now!
• Registration opens soon for diocese’s lay training course
• Email scam