Archbishop visits Stamford
THE Archbishop of Canterbury learnt about the good work completed by members of a Stamford church during a tour of the Lincolnshire.
Dr Rowan Williams enjoyed lunch with members and friends of Christ Church on Monday afternoon.
The visit to the church, in Green Lane, rounded off a weekend in Lincolnshire when he joined the centenary celebrations of the death of one of his heroes, Bishop Edward King, the 61st Bishop of Lincoln.
Christ Church undertakes a host of community schemes for people of all ages ranging from the popular Teenzone and a community car scheme to the befriending initiative, which helps adults to build up their self-esteem.
This work undertaken by the Rev Bob Macrkill and his team impressed Dr Williams, who described the church was a "wonderful place".
He said: "It has been a wonderful welcome here, being able to talk to people about their experiences has been a great learning experience.
"I think the befriending scheme is very different, it is trying to identify people have been bruised by their experiences. They don't need a programme that delivers lots of results, they just want to be alongside people. The way it works here is brilliant."
The fantastic lunch of Cottage Pie followed by Eve Pudding was prepared by members of the befriending group who had also spent time creating fantastic floral decorations along with folding napkins into the shape of a bishop's mitre.
Before Dr Williams and the other 45 guests tucked into the lunch, Chris Tilley said Grace.
After the meal Dr Williams thanked the church for a wonderful meal. He said: "It is a spectacular end to a busy morning. It is wonderful to come here and see, yet again, a church doing what it is supposed to be doing in playing a part in warming up the community."
Dr Williams was given a tour of the building by Reb Mackrill, including a look at the popular Teenzone cafe.
Manager of the cafe Ali Rigby, 18, of Aberdeen Close, Stamford, said Dr William was interested in Teenzone's work.
He said: "It was all quite surreal to meet him as he is a big figure in the church.
"He was really positive about it all and was really interested in all the different programmes going on in Teenzone."
Dr Williams also met programme manager Emily Turner, who is the granddaughter of Langham Baptist Church minster Janet Allen.
Emily, 23, of New Cross Road, Stamford, said: "My Nan is a minister of another church and was really jealous of the visit."
One of the first people to welcome him into the church was Julie Couzens, 35, of Clare Close, who had spotted Dr Williams on Songs of Praise the night before.
She said: "It is very nice that he has come to Stamford to meet the people here. I think he is a very friendly man and good in the community."
Befriending group member Mischy Rowan, 45, of St Clements, Stamford, who asked the Archbishop about his home and his visit to Rome.
She said: "It is an honour, not everyone gets to meet the Archbishop."
Member of Christ Church and Help for Heroes collector Jim Jackson, 62, of Emmanuel Road, enjoyed a brief chat with the archbishop.
He said: "It was interesting to meet the archbishop."
Former church wardens Joan Graham, 88, of , Stamford, and Kath Heyden Dale, 85, of Lyndsey Road, Stamford, also enjoyed meeting the bishop.
Mrs Heyden Dale said: "He was really lovely, it has been a treat."
Before leaving Dr Williams looked over a rowan tree in the church's garden and was also presented with some church mugs by the Rev Mackrill.
The Rev Mackrill was delighted with the visit.
He said: "It has been marvellous, he was so relaxed and such a gentle and holy man.
"He was fascinated by the projects and has affirmed the work they are doing here.
"It will have left a very warm and lasting memory for everybody."
The visit rounded off a busy weekend for Dr Williams who gave a talk entitled Faith Hope and Charity in Tomorrow's World to about 3,000 people in Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday.
He also visited churches in Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Sleaford along with the ec-houses in Long Sutton, near Spalding, and Ruskington Primary School.
Dr Williams said: "It has been a marvellous weekend and I have seen a lot of imaginative projects."
Bishop Edward King was in charge of the diocese of Lincoln for 25 years before his death in March 8, 1910, and was one of the first people in the county to get a motor car.
Dr Williams said: "He has been a hero of mine for over 40 years and it has been really wonderful to share in the initiative.
"He was a man who took everybody seriously.
"He was bishop for a long time, 25 years, and people still talk about him today."
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Weather for Stamford
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
