09/03/2023
On the first full day of the visit, Archbishop Stephen will meet with staff and volunteers at the island's Housing Matters Charity who support those who find themselves homeless, offering advice and seeking new housing for those in need. He will then meet some of the people who serve on the Legislative Council of Tynwald, the oldest continuous Parliament in the world before visiting St Thomas' Church in Douglas.
Pupils from St Thomas Church of England Primary School will have the opportunity for a Q&A session with Archbishop Stephen before he joins students for worship in the chapel at King Williams College.
On the third day of his visit to the diocese, Archbishop Stephen will be at St Catherine’s, Port Erin on the morning of Saturday 18 March, to meet with parishes and congregations from the South and the West of the Island. There will be coffee at 10.00, followed by input from the Archbishop until 12:00. Everyone from congregations and parishes in the Southern or Western Mission Partnership is warmly invited to come and hear the Archbishop. You are also invited to bring someone with you who may need encouragement in their Christian faith!
This will be repeated on the Saturday afternoon, 18 March, for the Northern and Eastern Mission Partnerships: 2.30 – 4.30 pm at St Paul’s, Ramsey, beginning with input from the Archbishop at 2.30 and concluding with tea at 4.00 pm. Again, for congregations and parishes in the North and the East (including Douglas): please come, and bring a friend!
Speaking about his visit, Archbishop Stephen said, “I’m really looking forward to visiting the island and communities, to encourage people in their ministry and discipleship and to share the gospel with those who don’t yet know Christ. May we be refreshed and renewed in our desire to look for those opportunities where God is at work and join in his mission to make Christ known.”
The Archbishop of York is a compelling and exciting speaker and evangelist, and he will be speaking about his vision for the Church of England: ‘Becoming a more Christ-centred Church’.
On the morning of Sunday, 19 March, at 10.30, the Archbishop will be celebrating the eucharist and preaching at the Cathedral in Peel. This is Mothering Sunday (4th of Lent), when traditionally Christians would go to the ‘Mother Church’ of the Diocese, the Cathedral. The Bishop therefore invites parishes and congregations, if possible and where pastorally appropriate, to join him and the Archbishop at the Cathedral that morning.