Jamie, Klair, Assistant Curate at All Saints in Worcester has visited a church in Norway which is part of the Porvoo Communion, a group of 15 churches throughout Europe who have agreed to ‘share a common life’ and ‘to pray for and with one another’.
Jamie visited a village church in Kleppe for their equivalent of pancake day and took greetings from our diocese. The priest of the Church, Justus, was ordained Anglican when he was serving in Southwark two decades ago for the Norwegian families in London, based in Rotherhithe.
Jamie said:
“It was a snowy as we came into church, which was beautifully decorated for their family service. There were a couple of babies being baptised, and many came dressed in various costumes, as is the tradition on this Sunday. The priest spoke at this intergenerational service about ‘putting on the costume of love’.
“We ended with post-service refreshments, Fastelavensboller, buns filled with cream and jam, while the congregation watched the end of the 4 x 7.5km skiing competition at the Winter Olympics!
“I hope this might be the start of a connection with a special church and a wonderful priest - and I’m most grateful for the opportunity provided for us to visit here as a family.”
Bishop Martin has recently taken on a new brief as the Church of England’s link bishop with the Porvoo communion.
