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Thank you, Keith. us is of such great value to me It provided a ray of light as the pandemic and the prairie winter went on amd on. And if that is so then part of that is greater and greater revelation and discernment for many of us. Thanks, Ken. See what happens. I will NEVER forget my life being changed by those words of beauty, love, mercy and joy from the top Catholic. Yearly: $120 a year, To pay in advance without a subscription, click here We enjoyed images of Gandhis visit to the Deanery in 1931 along with any number of visits by Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by her husband, the late Duke of Edinburgh. 421 likes. I wish the best for Dean Willis and the talented Fletcher and for all in the Garden Community. I, as their chairman, gather them in different cathedrals across England, year by year, to spend four days as the guests of different communities. I have always been a faithful congregant and for over forty years, I taught Church School. Robert Willis served as Dean of Canterbury for over 20 years and, during the coronavirus pandemic, became familiar to online audiences across the world for his Morning Prayer videos from the Cathedral - and the impromptu appearances of cats Leo and Tiger. Professional Videography for Weddings, Creative projects, and Commercial content "It's all right, they've decided to carry on without the Dean" Change). The Dean is obviously proud of the Kings School, Canterbury next door to the Deanery and its sister school in Hong Kong. CANTERBURY, England (ChurchMilitant.com) - The mother church of global Anglicanism has issued a statement defending its role in hosting an award ceremony that conferred a doctorate on leading British abortionist Ann Furedi. ), Independent Safeguarding Board seeks to extricate itself from the Church of England, Sentamu turned away as he attempts to deliver climate-protest letter to Shell, Gafcon meeting in Kigali rejects all existing forms of Anglican authority, We are not the weirdos: English conservatives welcome Gafcon support, Ten London clergy launch schismaticdeanery chapter over same-sex blessings, Gafcon leaders with broken hearts reject Archbishop of Canterbury as first among equals, Apology follows Iftar at Manchester Cathedral. Anne Balderstone You speak for us all, I am sure ..Thank you . I am able to watch my churchs services online but I so love the beauty of the gardens and the animals and the calm, comforting voice of Dean Willis and that feeling of this caring community praying together. and thousands of other believers. Willis has written a number of hymns, some of which have been published in the latest edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern. I was most blessed having watched from within a few days of the beginning (which of course I looked up soon after). But I do hope total dissipation is not going to be our fate, Having said that, the Disciples did scatter when Jesus moved on as that was the way it was meant to be. That said, my husband and I learned more about our faith than we could have asked for or imagined from the Cathedral garden morning prayer. One large regret we never got to meet Fletcher face-to-face! Fletcher Jay BANNER. Sadly, it is what it is! In a more popular vein Eastenders star June Brown receives a flattering review. Like many in that situation, I became extremely hungry for spiritual inputs, and I suppose I might say that Dean Robert was cosy and comforting from the outset, but with time more and more and more of a spiritual teacher for me as well. I pray for them often and wonder how they are doing, such a great loss for so many. Then the Deanery cockerel the aptly named Russell Crowe delivered a perfectly timed intervention to the reading of Peters denial of Christ. Everything above is true for me. You said all of the things I have thought but really have no forum in which to post. I will NEVER forget my life being changed by those words of beauty, love, mercy and joy from the top Catholic. However, an Anglican canon lawyer (who declined being named for this story) has debunked the statement as contradicting the Church of England's own Canon Law as well as a violation of Cathedrals Measure 1999, enshrined in English law. Are they happy? Overview. Monday to Saturday 09.00 - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00). Reading all of these comments has brought back such a flood of emotions, such a sense of loss. It is the biographies, particular people doing particular things which catch my interest and inspire me. As time went in, I began to watch more regularly but it wasnt until Lent 2022 that I became a daily viewer or, more accurately, participant, for Dean Robert truly has the ability to draw people in and make them part of the garden congregation. The Rev. An important thing for me is the belief also alluded to above and beautifully espoused in words by the Dean that the Holy Spirit inspires accomplished artistic performance, finding 21st-century ways to reach us. It has been publicly announced today that The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby, has conferred upon The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis the title of Dean Emeritus of Canterbury, in recognition of his lifetime of ministry. I can honestly say that Dean Roberts readings and reflections made Passion Week and Holy Week the most meaningful I have ever experienced. In his final broadcast on Monday, he expressed gratitude to all those who had shared the journey. It is a searing affront to all that the Christian faith stands for," he added. When you place your order, your Church Militant Premium membership will be activated. The ability of Dean Robert to give such life to the Gospels and to make them meaningful, the breadth of his interests, experience, and knowledge, and the connections he draws using all of these are something very special. All will be well. I have always been a faithful congregant and for over forty years, I taught Church School. With the help of the new YouTube channel and the existing services going back over two years, we are generously being given the opportunity to remain connected. Lets not be paralyzed by our loss but rather motivated to be instruments in spreading the gospel. Video shared on social media shows the 14-year-old feline turning his attention to food placed next to Dean Robert Willis and stealing one of Dr. Willis's pancakes. A number of other Anglican cathedrals have held special services for Freemasons. Thank you. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE. Nevertheless, I wish you both a wonderful retirement. It has been a real time of enjoyment, especially this unexpected time with you, he said. His hymns include "Let Us Light a Candle", "Earth's Fragile Beauties We Possess" and "The Kingdom is Upon You". Thanks Keith. [23] In 2011 he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of the county of Kent. Members of the garden congregation delivered their own appreciation of Dr Willis, recording a 30-minute video from a tiny fraction of viewers around the world. The Archbishop said: Today we say goodbye not to just to a Dean of Canterbury, but to one of the great Deans of Canterbury, indeed to one of the great Deans of the last 100 years.. Its perfect for when you are unable to be here in person. Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. A title conferred under this provision shall confer no vested interest and, in particular, the holder shall not by virtue of that title be a member of the College of Canons'. Theres something for everyone see what exciting events are currently taking place. . Then there are no misunderstandings. I shall miss terribly the spiritual boost and direction that the dean has provided through this horrendous time. I cant tell you how much I miss the teaching , everything about the videos. It was a lovely gesture facilitated by an Episcopal colleague who I think met the Dean at a Lambeth Conference. In November 1992 Willis was instituted as Dean of Hereford,[6] primus inter pares (first among equals) of the governing body of Hereford Cathedral. Should Florida Save Kids From Perverse Parents? I am a cradle Anglican and I was educated in an Anglican Girls school in Toronto, Canada. Robert noted that some of the highest praise he gets is from young adults at smart cathedral wedding receptions who sidle up to him and say weve tuned in to the things youre doing and some of them are very cool. Watching the service in the privacy of ones home, said the Dean, gives people who are shy about their spiritual yearnings a place safe from ridicule at doing something that is grossly unfashionable in a secular society. Sunday 11.30* - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00)*Between 11.30-12.30, access is available to the Cathedral ground and Shop only. MRS JACQUELINE ELEANOR BANNER is British and resident in United Kingdom. The text below is updated from a previous version. I worked at a table on my own - further back from the main 'painting' group but wasn't lonely. The Garden Congregation has been a Fresh Expression if there ever is one. They did so much for the congregation and the community. Then I discovered Dean Roberts approach to life and love, a passion and practice deeply connected to the Jesus of the Gospels, enriched by the very best elements of Anglican Christian tradition, deeply engaged with the culture, creativity and beauty which surrounds us and which abides within and amongst us. Robert Willis is a 75 years old Dean of Canterbury from Stamford, Connecticut. Like so many others, I have learned more about scriptures, the church, the saints and other people, places and things than ever before in my life of 81 years. We watched Archbishop Temples wartime encouragement prior to his untimely death in 1942. You see, Dean Robert gave us so much during this time that we cant Facebook. He also wrote the Christmas carol "Heaven Responds at Bethlehem", set to a tune by George Butterworth, which was sung for the first time by the Canterbury Cathedral girls' choir at the cathedral's carol services in 2016.[21]. In this case for say 5 years. [13] By the time the Dean's retired in May 2022, he had produced well over 900 broadcasts and had cumulatively accrued millions of views on Youtube and other platforms around the world, reaching many who needed a point of contact, spiritual or otherwise, in the dark days of the lockdowns. They come from all ecclesial backgrounds, or none; a non-religious friend in the United States who is a hard nut when it comes to spirituality sends the video services on to his colleagues and reports to Dean Robert that they are well received. I have sent three posts as well as regular comments on Youtube addressing relevancy vs. irrelevancy. By clicking the "Continue" button, you agree to the ChurchMilitant.com Terms of Use and ChurchMilitant.com Privacy Policy. ever near as Dean Robert taught us A lifelong Anglican living in Regina (SK), I began watching Morning Prayer from the Canterbury Deanery Garden occasionally in 2020. It provided a ray of light as the pandemic and the prairie winter went on amd on. Those early recordings from the garden, less than 10 minutes long, provided a point of contact, stability and spiritual succor in the early, anxious weeks of the pandemic. Have a look at the range of events Canterbury Cathedral has on offer below. were also downloaded and shared between Christian communities in parts of the world where it is dangerous for them to gather together or worship openly.The broadcasts followed the traditional pattern of daily morning prayer in the Anglican Church, built around the daily reading of Scripture and saying the pasalms. I have been living the most stressful 10 years of my life and the pandemic put me at the bottom of a pit; then quite by accident I found Dean Willis on YouTube and began my climb back to spiritual strength and comfort. "The event in question was nothing to do with the diocese [of Canterbury] or the wider Church of England," the communiqu states. How did you find your way to your first visit to Morning Prayer at Canterbury Cathedral? He was awarded the Cross of St Augustine for services to the Anglican Communion, is a Knight of the Order of St John, and has written many hymns. Are You Neglecting Your Christian Prayer Life? He brought so many blessings to our lives. Yet Dr Willis has noted that some of the highest praise that he receives is from young adults. One does wonder where he has found the time to engage and enjoy all these people, places and projects. Go bless you always Dean Robert and Fletcher.. [2], Willis was educated at Kingswood Grammar School in Kingswood, near Bristol. The video ended with Happy birthday sung by a mother and daughter in Chennai, South India. Speaking of direct connections, imagine my surprise when I tuned in on Friday Sunday April 30, 2021, as Dean Robert kindly noted my retirement from ordained ministry at 1:30 into the broadcast. Thanks for your comment. Congregants heard of Augustine landing on Anglo-Saxon soil, of King thelberht of Kent and his Queen, Bertha. agree that your subscription will automatically renew monthly, quarterly or annually based upon your subscription noted my retirement from ordained ministry, So many thanks for my Holy Week clergy colleagues Retirement appreciation #42, Follow Take Note Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray on WordPress.com. all the precious animals. You also (LogOut/ Perhaps it was unintentional at the onset, but Dean Robert and Fletcher (and all the others who helped with the services) brought us together from around the globe to help us show the world what the Creators Kin-dom looks like. Thank you, Ken, for your wonderful tribute message. Fiona Willis's mother in law was Cilla Black Fiona Willis's father in law was Bobby Willis Fiona Willis's grandmother in law was Priscilla . We heard tales of T S Elliot producing the verse drama Murder in the Cathedral, itself telling of the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury within the holy sanctuary. That is the Holy Spirit at work a concept very dear to me since my own case of being born again on February 28th 2021 (Transfiguration Day in Poland). How did you find your way to your first visit to Morning Prayer at Canterbury Cathedral? . Still, even in that time, Dean Robert has become more noticeably polished and by that I do not mean in a shallow or slick TV-presenter sense, but rather in the sense of spiritual conviction and fluency. This person was born in April 1943, which was over 80 years ago. Submit news to our tip line. This page is not available in other languages. Standard price admission tickets cannot be refunded and exchanged for discounted tickets. In turn, the Dean said that he is always heartened to be in the company of deacons and conveyed to the deacons of New Westminster the greetings of the Archbishop of Canterbury, with whom he had been meeting earlier in the day. Maybe some day, somehow, we will learn. In this, Dean Robert and Fletcher (who plans the garden backdrop and weaves in clips of music, art and film to complement the commentary) are doing the diaconal work of building a bridge between the church and the wider world. By clicking submit you agree to our privacy policy, Cathedral House, 11 The PrecinctsCanterbury, CT1 2EHUnited Kingdom+44 (0) 1227 762862[emailprotected]. I will, no doubt, be going back to YouTube, to view many of the broadcasts again for as long as they are available. [3], Willis was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1972 and a priest in 1973. Thanks Kirk and Jan, lovely stories so similar to so many others. Archbishop Welby praised Dr Willis for his exceptional ministry, which included bringing the comfort and hope of Jesus Christ to many thousands of people around the world through his daily Morning Prayer videos. The report "Freemasonry and Christianity: Are They Compatible" made it "clear that some Christians have found the impact of Masonic rituals disturbing and a few perceive them as positively evil.". To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe. All of us are connected in ways we may never have imagined the first time we clicked on the YouTube play button. Church Militant contacted Dean Robert Willis on Jan. 6, over a week before the story was published, asking him if he knew of the award, and if he would protest given the Church of England's. Together we explored multiple nooks and crannies within ancient walls, decorated rooms in the Deanery proper including the fish tanks room. I can say with all honesty and not a titch of exaggeration that this ministry helped me personally through a horrible bout of depression. Success and relevancy came too quickly, not unlike superstars where too much success obtained too quickly messed up their lives and the lives of others. This may not get posted as a follow-up, but Ill try it anyway. And OH all those precious, beloved animals! The Dean of Canterbury, The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, has announced that he will cease to be Dean at midnight on 16 May 2022, the eve of his 75th birthday. Since the pandemic and war have been dark days indeed, it may truly be that we are all moving towards the End Days, with all the good-bad-sad-ecstatic-melancholy that that entails. Thank you. Dean Robert says it was Fletcher who insisted he rouse himself at 10:30pm on January 6 to record a supportive message for Americans shocked by the riots in progress at the Capitol building. This website was made possible by kind donations from, There seems to have been an error while submitting your feedback. This is Tigger who parked herself next to my chair Following the Deans talk and a Betty Geddes-catered lunch, the deacons broke off into smaller sessions to explore ministries in different gardens of the world: street outreach, climate change, truth and reconciliation, community partnerships, and chaplaincies. I, too, feel that the end of the Garden Congregation will leave an immense hole in my spritual life. Fletcher was also a member of the Nobody's Friends dining club hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. FLETCHER JAY BANNER is a Apprentice Landscape Gardener from Canterbury Kent.

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