Diocese of Canterbury

Meet Angela Swindley, one of the 2024 Ordinands in our diocese.

Speaking ahead of the ordination service in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 29 June, Angela said: "I have spent most of my life teaching History and Religious Education in secondary schools and know a bit about how religion can be regarded in the wider community.

"I am committed to working with and alongside a diverse range of people and am honoured to be embarking on a ministry that reaches out to all sorts.

"When off duty, I love walking to the top of a not-too-high (UK) mountain: Snowdon this summer!

Here is this week's

Do you know which church this is? Leave your guesses in the comments! The answer will be revealed on our story this Wednesday!

Meet Malcolm Sawyer, one of the 2024 Ordinands in our diocese.

Speaking ahead of the ordination service in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 29 June, Malcolm said: "I’ve been in Reader Ministry for over 40yrs, and eventually despite me putting off the call, the Lord won.

"I’m on the Dover Pathway, and will be licensed to St. Mary’s, Walmer Benefice. I’m already a Port of Dover Chaplain, Dover Royal British Legion Chaplain, and Kent Police Chaplain. I’m married to Sally."

St Peter and St Paul, Borden is just one of the churches in our diocese and across the world that are today marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy Landings.

May we remember the the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.

Meet Robin Fassenfelt, one of the 2024 Ordinands in our diocese.

Speaking ahead of the ordination service in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 29 June, Robin said: "I am currently an Ordinand training to be a Distinctive Deacon. In discerning my calling I have always felt it to be outside the church walls.

"The DD role has been described best as a threshold ministry, therefore, I am really looking forward to be both pastoral and missional on our large estates.

"I am married to Amanda and have two children Warren and Jenny and love heavy metal music and Dr Who!"

We will remember them.

Join us in prayer, on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. 🙏

Meet Denise Parrett, one of the 2024 Ordinands in our diocese.

Speaking ahead of the ordination service in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 29 June, Denise said: "Having become a Christian on a Scripture Union holiday when I was 16, it seems that much of my life has centred on a call to teaching and using music in school and church. Here I have flourished yet God gently directed me into exploring ordained ministry.

"Six years later and, having studied at St Augustine’s College, West Malling, I am thrilled to be starting a curacy at Christ Church St Andrews, Herne Bay. In God’s amazing provision, as a Non-Stipendiary Distinctive Deacon, I can continue to teach part-time in a church school and still use music to engage with those both inside and outside the church.

"Married to Stephen and with two sons in their twenties, I also hope to find time to enjoy family life and squeeze in some pickleball and tennis."

Meet Maria Stuttaford, one of the 2024 Ordinands in our diocese.

Speaking ahead of the ordination service in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 29 June, Maria said: "My faith journey has been marked by wondering and wandering. For years I ran up and down hills, in various parts of the world, shouting to God ‘Take my hands’ – desperate to know God’s purpose for me.

"I remember the moment clearly in 2017 when I finally started to listen and said ‘yes’. It has been an unfolding journey towards an unknown destination. A constant is God’s love and ability to surprise me. I feel the weightiness of this calling and the amazing joy. The joy compels me to be courageously compassionate, bringing light where there is darkness.

"I am married to Graham and we are looking forward to our time with Denswood Parish, in Bethersden, Woodchurch and High Halden."

If you missed Bishop of Dover on the panel for BBC One's 'Question Time', you can catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Question Time - 2024: 30/05/2024 Fiona Bruce presents an hour of debate from Epsom in Surrey.

Please pray for Bishop of Dover ahead of her appearance on Question Time this evening at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

On Question Time tomorrow, Fiona will be joined by Damian Hinds, Wes Streeting, Nigel Farage, Rt Rev’d Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Piers Morgan

Join us and an audience from Epsom live on and at 8pm

The Archbishop of Canterbury led the young people of the Canterbury and Rochester Dioceses at St Margaret’s Church, Rainham, in prayer as part of Thy Kingdom Come’s ‘The Prayer’.

This was a national campaign which encouraged all church youth to take part, whether individually or part of a larger setting, culminating in saying the Lord’s Prayer together as a nation on Pentecost Sunday.

Read the latest edition of The Briefing: giving, worshipping and voting -

The Briefing: giving, worshipping and voting Over 50 churches in our diocese are now equipped to take contactless donations following the rollout of devices as part of a national generosity scheme.

Our Archbishops call for respect and kindness in heat of debate

If you would like to get involved and play a vital role in shaping the life of the church, then consider standing for Diocesan Synod, the governing body of Canterbury Diocese. Whatever your background or experience, Synod is your opportunity to speak up and be heard. We want our synod to represent all different communities and ages - make a difference and join us!

The nomination process is underway with the deadline for nominations being 12pm on Tuesday 28 May.

Anyone is eligible to stand providing that they are aged 16 and over and on their church’s electoral roll.

Further information can be found through the link in our bio.

June's Calendar of Prayer is now available - https://mailchi.mp/b0f85c491cb0/calendar-of-prayer-june-2024

Here is this week's

Do you know which church this is? Leave your guesses in the comments! The answer will be revealed on our story this Wednesday!

The dove is one of the most familiar symbols of the Holy Spirit. As you reflect on this image, what thoughts or feelings surface? What does it say to you about the Holy Spirit, and about you?

A prayer for Pentecost:
Spirit of the Living God,
You come to us with gentle grace.
We offer you open hearts and open hands,
Ready to welcome you,
Eager to share you,
Awe-struck at the privilege of becoming your dwelling-place.
Amen.

[Alt text 'Gift' by Primrose Northrop, 2024. The painting depicts a girl holding a dove.]

May 13-19 is Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme for this year is

This year our diocese has delivered two mental health training courses, and we are in the process of developing training specifically for those who work and minister with children and young people. Further details will be in our Ministry Dispatch mailings, which you can sign up to on our Linktree.

John 14:27 'Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid."

is happening at some hand car washes in towns and cities across the
country. And it may be closer to you than you think.

Learn how to spot the signs with 's Safe Car Wash App.

[Alt text: Image shows someone cleaning a car by hand, with a caravan in the background. In the foreground, someone is holding a phone with the Safe Car Wash App on. The text reads 'Hand car wash. Exploitation at the car wash? Download the app. Safe car wash. We see you. The Clewer Initiative.]

'Bishop Rose gave insightful and personal reflections allowing time for all the children to ask their questions. On behalf of everyone at the school I would like to say a " big thank you" to Bishop Rose for her kindness and generosity giving her time to come and meet us all.'
Fr Jane Barker, Assistant Curate at St Peter and Paul Borden

Bishop Rose recently visited Borden Primary school; the Bishop was greeted by Fr Jane Barker, Assistant Curate at St Peter and Paul Borden, headteacher Georgie Ingram and the school's CEO David Whitehead.

Bishop Rose watched Miss Ingram and the children lead a worship service on the theme of hospitality and refugees and spoke to the children about the importance of hospitality and showing kindness and care when we talk and think about refugees.

The Bishop then spent time in Cherry class and Beech class taking part in a question and answer session. The children were keen to find out "what kind of world did Jesus want?" and " Why does Easter matter so much for Christians?"
The Bishop also shared school dinner alongside the children.

Fr Jane Barker said: 'Bishop Rose gave insightful and personal reflections allowing time for all the children to ask their questions. It was a memorable day. On behalf of everyone at the school I would like to say a " big thank you" to Bishop Rose for her kindness and generosity giving her time to come and meet us all.'

Here is this week's

Do you know which church this is? Leave your guesses in the comments! The answer will be revealed on our story this Wednesday!

[Alt text: image shows the front of the mystery church.]

Please join us this Saturday at 10.30am - in person or live online - for Sung Eucharist to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood.

Join women and men from across the Diocese of Canterbury, as we celebrate 30 years of women's ministry. All are welcome.

Preacher: The Revd. Canon Estella Last, Diocesan Adviser for Women’s Ministry

It's just one week to go until Thy Kingdom Come's 'Light Up The World In Prayer' campaign. Thy Kingdom Come are a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus.

They invite every Christian across the globe to pray that God's Spirit might work in the lives of people who have not responded with their 'Yes' to God's call.

The Royal Kentish Camino was launched on Saturday 27 April, with representatives of the three churches that make up the route in attendance.

The route begins at St Martin's Church, Canterbury, with the midpoint at St Mary and St Ethelburga, Lyminge, before finishing at St Mary and St Eanswythe, Folkestone.

These three churches are connected in the pilgrimage, which focuses on the three pioneering Christian women from Anglo-Saxon England - Queen Bertha, Queen Ethelburga, and Saint Eanswythe.

[Alt text: Photo 1 - walkers at the end point of the pilgrimage. Photo 2 - walkers in the countryside.]

Photos credit:

Here is this week's

Do you know which church this is? Leave your guesses in the comments!

[Alt text: image shows a cross in the mystery church.]