All rights reserved. The COE has lost its best asset. I know crazy people always think that the world revolves around them, but it truly is possible to make out here a growing and strengthening web of connections between us and among us. Bruce Morris, Archdeacon for Deacons or read the Deacons Handbook on the diocesan website. Take Note Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray, These comments arrive, almost daily in response to my blog. Obviously they are comfortable in their own skin but there are forever the Men in Gray looking to protect an institution even if it means grinding it into irrelevancy. What will I miss the most? Thanks for your comment. Besides overseeing the ministry of the mother church of the Anglican Communion, Dr Willis became an unexpected YouTube hit during the pandemic. Behind the camera, however, Fletcher motioned him to continue speaking, and Dean Robert carried on saying the Lords Prayer. Hopefully, we remember the BBCs Pilgrimage: Road to Rome in which a marvellous, Godly Pope Francis speaks to Stephen K. Amos about the noun more than the adjective? 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. Christianity and Freemasonry were not compatible, Have a news tip? In this case for say 5 years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks Kirk and Jan, lovely stories so similar to so many others. and took part daily in the Garden [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. The cathedral statement, drafted as a rebuttal to a Jan. 14 Church Militant article, does not cite our story or provide a link to it. Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John, Jeannette Page, "Pauline Willis obituary", "Hereford Cathedral: a history", G. E. Aylmer and John Eric Tiller, Whitstable Choral Society Honorary Patron, "Church of England suspends all services over coronavirus", Sarah Meyrick, "Dean of Canterbury retires at 75, but his garden ministry will go on", "Watch: Canterbury Cathedral cat disappears under Dean's robes during sermon", "Cat disappears into priest's robes during online sermon", "The Canterbury Tail: Cat steals vicar's milk during cathedral's online prayer service", "Cat steals Dean of Canterbury's pancakes", "Watch: Mischievous cat steals Dean of Canterbury's pancake during morning prayer", Canterbury Cathedral, Evensong, 15 May 2022, Canterbury Cathedral, "Dean's carol to be sung in Carol Services", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Willis_(priest)&oldid=1148629706, This page was last edited on 7 April 2023, at 10:36. On Sunday, at his farewell service in the cathedral, the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, said a huge thank you to Dr Willis, paying tribute to his YouTube ministry. On camera and off, their joint ministry continues; Fletcher is sometimes able to reach out to garden congregants in distressing circumstances; candles are lit in the cathedral for those asking for prayer. Everything you have written touches all that is on my heart and in my mind. This website was made possible by kind donations from, There seems to have been an error while submitting your feedback. I have always been a faithful congregant and for over forty years, I taught Church School. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. [3][9], In 2001 Willis was appointed Dean of Canterbury,[10] becoming the 39th person to hold the position since the Reformation. Parking in the Cathedral grounds is only available for Blue Badge holders, subject to limited availability and prior arrangement. It provided a ray of light as the pandemic and the prairie winter went on amd on. And, the critters, who is caring for them so lovingly? His elder sister Pauline (19392020) was a journalist who wrote for The Guardian. And how? [20], Welby described Willis as "one of the most exceptional deans of the post-war period overseeing Canterbury Cathedrals life of worship, prayer and witness with creativity and imagination". For about a year now, I have watched in from Poland (as a Brit totally separated from his homeland until April 22nd). Given the existence and presence of the undoubtedly-also-gifted Fletcher, I would like against that background to allude to my own onward journey with them into understanding and acceptance. The churchwardens and their assistants shall not suffer the church or chapel to be profaned by any meeting therein for temporal objects inconsistent with the sanctity of the place, nor the bells to be rung at any time contrary to the direction of the minister. The June 1987 meeting of the York General Synod concurred that Christianity and Freemasonry were not compatible. [2], Willis was educated at Kingswood Grammar School in Kingswood, near Bristol. As well as being a Freeman of the City of Canterbury, the Dean is an honorary Doctor of Divinity of Yale University and Doctor of Civil Law of the University of Kent. This year, we went to Exeter and Truro. Fletcher Jay BANNER. Dr Willis had hoped to extend his tenure to cover the Lambeth Conference this summer (News, 25 January), but this was ruled impossible earlier this year. Williams, who has blasted the Anglican hierarchy at the General Synod for prevaricating on pro-life issues, also responded to Canterbury Cathedral's statement reaffirming the Church of England's position on abortion: Ann Furedi, Chief Executive Officer of BPAS [British Pregnancy Advisory Service], has led the catastrophic liberalization of abortion in our country. Your browser does not support the video tag. Linkedin. All will be well. You continue my reflection so well. Its perfect for when you are unable to be here in person. I appreciate that you both regret this untimely interruption. Willis is also an accomplished pianist and opera enthusiast. I shall miss terribly the spiritual boost and direction that the dean has provided through this horrendous time. I can honestly say that Dean Roberts readings and reflections made Passion Week and Holy Week the most meaningful I have ever experienced. He draws our attention to literary figures such as Margaret Atwood and Willa Cather alongside spiritual writers such as George Herbert, C S Lewis and Hugh Walpole. Bizarrely (one would say, if one did not know different), Dean Robert has recently made reference to places and things that matter much in my own life, not least the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. I am so sad about the end of the Garden Congregation. But the diakonos the servants were in the know; they had obeyed Marys command to do whatever [Jesus] tells you and were agents in the messianic secret from the start. Willis was appointed a Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John (CStJ) in 2001[22] and a Knight in 2009 (although the Order does not grant the use of the prefix "Sir"). It is lovely that Dean Roberts long service to Canterbury Cathedral has been acknowledged in this way by Archbishop Justin and we continue to pray for him in his retirement. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Speaking of animals, how can we forget the announcement, which rung from the belfry that Clemmie is pregnant! All the animals hold special affection for the Dean and for us viewers, especially Mr. Robin, Duckie, Russel Crow, Winston and Clemmie, and the three cats each a scene stealer par excellence. For some, it was an accidental click. After graduating from Warwick University with a BA degree,[3] he studied for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon[4] and completed a Diploma in Theology (DipTh) at Worcester College, Oxford. Ken, we are so pleased to read your very meaningful reflections -your tribute to Dean Robert- which precisely mirror our own thoughts. "Canterbury Cathedral has an absolute right under the Equality Act 2010 to refuse the hiring out of its premises for an event, ceremony or the honoring of Ann Furedi, a woman in large part responsible for the horrific abortion numbers in our country," Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, emphasized. True confession, I dont always stay around for the blessing. The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis is the 39th Dean of Canterbury since the Reformation. Ken. Like you, we have also wondered how the Dean and Fletcher have found time to read so many books, see so many plays and operas, learn so much poetry, hear so much great music- and especially to remember so many details of what they had seen and heard to connect them to spiritual truths in these wonderful morning reflections. Just live it every day. Other special Garden Congregation features include visits to the pig barns, the aviaries and the greenhouses during rain and thunderstorms. 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. 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'. Hello Joanne. You also I will, no doubt, be going back to YouTube, to view many of the broadcasts again for as long as they are available. They will be sorely missed. Required fields are marked *. [5] From 1978 to 1987 he was team rector of Tisbury, Wiltshire, and served as chaplain of Cranborne Chase School and RAF Chilmark. Church Times 2023. Another third are based in the United States; and the final third tune in from Canada, Australia, and the rest of the world. I can say with all honesty and not a titch of exaggeration that this ministry helped me personally through a horrible bout of depression. I am a cradle Anglican and I was educated in an Anglican Girls school in Toronto, Canada. The Cathedral church opens at 12.30. ), 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. It has been a real time of enjoyment, especially this unexpected time with you, he said. The bishop of Tyler, TX talks to Terry Barber. That wonderful experience left us with a strong desire to continue connecting to the Cathedral in some way or another, especially as the restrictions and frustrations of the pandemic began to affect our lives. We are from Florida, and we had the privilege of attending Canterbury Cathedral and meeting Dean Robert in December 2019, just prior to the pandemic. Archbishop of Canterbury Supports Pro-Abortion Buffer Zones, Canterbury Cathedral Hosts Award Ceremony for Top UK Abortionist, Female Preachers To Usurp Pulpits on St. Anne Balderstone You speak for us all, I am sure ..Thank you . The Dean is obviously proud of the Kings School, Canterbury next door to the Deanery and its sister school in Hong Kong. Given the Church of England's stated position that every abortion is a tragedy, did they not question whether the giving of the award in Canterbury Cathedral and its presentation to a woman responsible for 70,000 abortions in the past year alone, was appropriate? The interweaving of all aspects of human history and creativity in arts, music, philosophy, literature into these services which were filmed all over the house and gardens from the pigsty to the roof, gained global appeal. We can't wait to welcome you to the Cathedral, Monday to Saturday 09.00 - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00)Sunday 11.30 - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00). (That noted, a previous Dean of Canterbury, Hewlett Johnson (the so-called Red Dean) retired in 1963, the year of his 89th birthday best not to try to figure out the machinations of the Church of England a headache will likely result.). A side benefit of this series was knowing that I was united with friends like you in watching, listening, together, so often in awe and many times in laughter as well as in prayer. What a blessing! 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. I pray they have found a new ministry, even in retirement. Dean Willis was called of God as an instrument to share Jesus Christ to all who would listen. (Max 2 children per paying adult; does not apply to group bookings or school visits). Dean Robert Willis of Canterbury Cathedral and friend (screen shot from Irish Times story) Leo, one of our cats, jumped onto the table in the middle of the service. Everything above is true for me. Are You Neglecting Your Christian Prayer Life? I will NEVER forget my life being changed by those words of beauty, love, mercy and joy from the top Catholic. He rose to the top of the oil industry - ending up as treasurer of Enterprise Oil - and gave up a six-figure salary to train as a priest. Are they happy? 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. I cant believe I wont see his lovely face again. Congregation. Then the Deanery cockerel the aptly named Russell Crowe delivered a perfectly timed intervention to the reading of Peters denial of Christ. [11], During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church of England suspended public worship. Jesus Christ was Fletcher so much, not to mention The service he has given to Canterbury Cathedral, and the contribution he has made to the Christ's Church through a lifetime of ministry are inestimable. I love the above articles and comments, which CLOSELY match my own thoughts and observations (not least a growing feeling that the Deanery Gardens there in Kent (as Garden of England) are INDEED the size of Belgium, beautiful beyond compare of course, and with a biodiversity of mega-proportions). live within 4 miles of Bell Harry tower, including within The Precincts, are a member of the Cathedral Congregation, are immediate family of a Cathedral staff member, are a member of any church in the diocese (on the parish electoral roll or equivalent). Morning Prayer videos now average between 17,000 and 18,000 views per day on YouTube, and regularly reach as many as 20,000 daily views. F 16 Of plays, concerts and exhibitions of films and pictures in churches 1. 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 position on abortion. Monthly: $10 a month The Dean cannot say, 'nothing to do with me, Guv' when an event takes place in the cathedral. Have we all seen how the words from Robert flow more smoothly, how he becomes more word-perfect? See what happens. I do wish Dean Robert and Fletcher well as they move on. I can honestly say that Dean Roberts readings and reflections made Passion Week and Holy Week the most meaningful I have ever experienced. the Cathedral church opens at 12.30. Pinterest. On Monday, March 30, 2020 early in the COVID-19 pandemic Dean Robert commenced with his production partner, Fletcher whose influence, technical support, research capabilities and imaginative capacity cannot be overstated a series of broadcasts aimed at anyone, anywhere who might listen in, as the UK and many parts of the Anglican world at I am a cradle Anglican and I was educated in an Anglican Girls school in Toronto, Canada. 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. Robert Willis. categorised as Church of England, News. Dean of Canterbury to retire. At least 11 popes have made pronouncements about the incompatibility of Catholicism and Freemasonry. 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. Thanks, Ken. But the occasion that drew the most viewers 174,000 and counting took place in July 2020, when Tiger began todrink from the jug of milkon the table beside Dr Willis. 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. Dean Roberts departure will be a huge loss for those of us who followed his Garden Congregation, and I for one am very disappointed that the Anglican Church will do nothing and just allow this global community of 40,000+ to just dissolve. For some, it was an accidental click. The final blessing each day. (Last admission at 16.00)*Between 11.30-12.30, access is available to the Cathedral grounds and Shop only. View Fiona Willis's Family Tree and History, Ancestry and Genealogy. . (LogOut/ 1. canticle of zechariah explained. Vancouver, BC We were excited to see the launch of the Morning Prayers from the Deanery Garden start in March of 2020, and like you, we havent missed a single one of them- although sometimes it meant watching a couple in a day to catch up with those we couldnt see because of other scheduling demands. What began as simple prayers, morphed over time into longer and more ambitious productions, growing in scope and deepening in reflection drawing content from multiple sources including the occasional special guest visitor bearing hedgehogs.
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