The Rev Douglas Wren walks the Way to Compostella See page 6 JULY/AUGUST 2013 A giant of a man The Enthronement of Archbishop Jacob by the Very Rev Mark Beach I had been warned to expect long delays on arrival at Dar es Salaam airport while passengers queued for their visas. My experience was very different. I completed the paperwork and handed it to an official. Previous experience also suggests that immigration officers are not always that friendly. This one was a giant of a man who when he heard that I was going to the enthronement of the new Anglican Archbishop of Tanzania threw his arms round me in a bear hug and said ‘Welcome, welcome, welcome!’ This friendliness was a mark of everybody I met during my very short stay and I am grateful to those who welcomed me to this great celebration. The service took place in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, on the eve of Pentecost. So first we had to make the 6 hour drive across the country. The scenery was a mix of mountain grandeur and open plains but much to my disappointment I did not get to see an elephant! I did see something of the poverty which faces the country, with a mix of subsistence ENTHRONEMENT: The new Archbishop of Tanzania (Jacob Chimeledya) being presented with pastoral staff by the former farming in the countryside and what appeared to be fairly chaotic trading going Archbishop of Tanzania, Valentino Mokiwa (right) in the presence of the Provincial Registrar. Photo courtesy of Lambeth Palace on in the towns. The sight of the Masai sermon. The outgoing Archbishop placed Archbishop of Canterbury’s sermon, urging occasion. These choirs are a feature of tribesmen in flowing robes, herding their Bishop Jacob in the throne and gave him the the bishops and their people to work African church life and bring young people cattle across the countryside, will stay with Primatial Cross, much as we had seen back together to face the considerable challenges together to dance and sing in worship. They me for a long time. in March when Archbishop Justin was placed that face the church. Unity was included by are also a means of bringing Christian and By 9am on the day the bishops of the in the Chair of St Augustine. Archbishop Jacob and the President, who Muslim young people together, as festivals Anglican Church of Tanzania had gathered I was very fortunate to be sitting with a referred to the challenges facing are held in different areas and Muslim young in the small but elegant Cathedral, along member of the Anglican Communion staff Christians and Muslims following a recent people begin by watching and then join in with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the who translated the service from Swahili for bomb attack on a church. the activity. President of Tanzania. me, and noted that it was Series 3 from back “I was very glad to represent I was very glad to represent Bishop James home that had been adopted by many of and the Diocese for this occasion where “The sight of the Masai the churches of the Communion some years Bishop James and the Diocese for I was able to deliver greetings from us all tribesmen in flowing robes, ago. The order of service noted that this was this occasion” along with a new laptop, with the latest an example of the unity that exists between So the overriding theme of the service was software. This gift from the Diocese of herding their cattle across the churches of different traditions in Tanzania. unity brought about through the work of the Rochester is to assist Archbishop Jacob in countryside, will stay with me Some were founded by USPG and are of a Holy Spirit. his ministry as both Bishop of Mpwapwa and for a long time” Catholic tradition, while others were formed Another highlight of the service was the Archbishop of Tanzania; no small task. by CMS missionaries and follow an youth choirs from different dioceses. They We hope very much to see the Archbishop in The service was a communion with the evangelical form. sang a mix of traditional music with some Rochester before too long and to extend as a Archbishop being enthroned after the This unity was one of the themes of the variety added, reflecting the nature of the welcome to him as his church did to me. PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the September issue of Rochester Link is 9 August 2013 at 4pm 2 ochester Link The Bishop of Tonbridge’s Diary, The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle What’s on July/August July 2013 Saturday 10 COOLING Evening of music at St James’ Church at 7.30pm. For more details call Alison Bucknall on 1 July 1230 School Chaplains’ Meeting and Lunch, Saturday 6 Bishop’s Lodge 01634 220204. TONBRIDGE Picnic on the Green with drama, races, games and competition. St Philip’s Green, from 12 noon to 2 July 1900 SSM Supper, Bishop’s Lodge ROCHESTER Informal lunchtime piano recital at 3pm. Free packed lunches provided. Rochester Catherdral at 12 noon. Pianist and composer 3 July 1030 Education Seminar at Lambeth Charles Timberlake will present his unique blend of the BROMLEY Prayer Breakfast and Walk at St Marys, College original, the sacred and the secular – an inspirational mix Road. Continental breakfast at 8.30am in the Church 4 July 1000 Estonia Group Meeting, Bishop’s Lodge of original compositions together with ballads and hymns. House Front Room, followed by a Prayer Walk at 9.15am. 1930 Confirmation, All Saints, Hartley Music to soothe and restore the soul. For more information call 020 8464 1239. Various 7 July 1000 Confirmation, St Mark, Bromley BROMLEY Intimate Opera Club will be singing favourite 1800 Confirmation, St Nicholas, Chislehurst choruses and arias in St Marys Church, College Road at SEVENOAKS - Lunchtime recitals at 12.30pm every 7.30pm. Admission on the door is £8 and refreshments will Wednesday at St Luke’s Church, Eardley Road. Each 9 July 1930 Speak at Sidcup Deanery Synod be available in the interval. For more information call recital will last for around 30 minutes and admission is 020 8464 1239. free. Refreshments will be available from 12 noon. 10-14 July Bishops’ Cell Meeting 3 July, Tamara Young - Harpist (This recital forms part CHISLEHURST Bromley Oecumenical Singers will perform of the Sevenoaks Summer Festival); 10 July, Ingrid 16 July 1100 Attend Faith and Order Commission meeting Music for a Summer Evening (Bach to Berlin) at Christ Cusido – Piano; 17 July Christian Strover – Organ; Church, Lubbock Road at 7.45 pm, proceeds from which 24 July Jenny Miles – Piano; 31 July Caroline & 17 July 0930 Bishop’s Staff Meeting will help with the choir’s work for charities. Admission is £8. Richard Walshaw – Soprano and Organ. For more information call 020 8697 0759. 28 July 0945 Dedication of Bells, St Lawrence, Seal Chart LUDDENSDOWNE Luddesdowne Church open Thursday 11 - Saturday 13 Saturdays from 2pm to 4.30pm in July, August and WATERINGBURY Wind in the Willows by Alan Bennett. September. Come and see this rural church with its Performed by The Wateringbury Players and children from unique wall paintings. For more information visit Bishop Brian has no formal engagements in August. Wateringbury C E Primary School at the Church of St John www.cobham-luddesdowne.org the Baptist, Tonbridge Road, at 7pm (doors open 6.30pm). Tickets available from Wateringbury Post Office and Handy BROMLEY 150 Coins – a challenge for you to collect Stores, Bow Road, £8 per ticket. Concessions for children 150 coins of the same denomination during the up to 16 years and senior citizens available for Thursday summer as part of St Mary’s Church 150th Anniversary performance only at £5. For more information call celebrations. For more information call 020 8464 1239. 01622 813206. , Feeding the 5000 BROMLEY Churchyard Trail. Discover the secrets of Thursday 11 - Sunday 14 St Mary’s Churchyard, College Road throughout August. was amazing BROMLEY “See our Gems” at St Mary’s Church, College Leaflets are available in the porch. For more information Road, celebrating its 150th anniversary with an open call 020 8464 1239. You’ll be amazed church event to view stained glass, wall decoration and what your collections local history exhibition; tours, live music and refreshments. BROMLEY Café 150 is open between 10am and can start Free admission and a guide book is available. Open from 12 noon in the porch of St Mary’s Church, College 11am to 4pm on Thursday and Saturday, 9.30am to Road for coffee and cake every Thursday throughout Send a Cow transforms the 4.00pm on Friday and 12 noon to 5.00pm on Sunday. August. Run by St Mary’s Mothers’ Union. For more lives of Africa’s poorest families. For more information call 020 8464 1239. information call 020 8464 1239. We bring about real and lasting change, because we don’t give Saturday 13 WATERINGBURY Cream Teas and Home Made Cakes short-term aid – we give people BROMLEY Messy Church at St Mary’s Church Hall, College the resources and at the Church of St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road. Road from 4pm to 6pm for families. Arts, craft, food and the knowledge to Available every Thursday throughout August. For more help them feed worship. For more information call 020 8464 1239. information call 01622 817974. themselves. We have a proven solution to help Africa’s poorest BEXLEYHEATH The Phoenix Choir performing at COBHAM Gospel Music with the London Adventist families produce the food they St Peter’s Church, Pickford Lane at 7.30pm.