Archbishop of Canterbury's visit

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, will visit our diocese for three days in October. His focus will be on mission, sharing the good news of Jesus and visiting churches, schools and communities across our area. He’ll be visiting over the weekend of October 13-15, spending one day and night on the Isle of Wight and two days on the mainland.

He can't, of course, visit all of us in the limited time available. A careful itinerary has been put together which we hope gives him the opportunity to share the gospel message with those in schools, prison, the Navy and community leaders, as well as offering inspiration and prayer for some of our clergy, lay ministers and Anna Chaplains. A brief overview of his timetable is:

FRIDAY:

• 8.30am: Visit to Christ the King School, Newport
• 12.30pm: Visit to The Bay C of E School, Sandown
• 7.30pm: Q & A with the Archbishop, Holy Trinity Church, Bembridge (details here)

SATURDAY:

• 7.30am: Breakfast with the Archbishop for clergy from across the island
• 9.30am: Visit to HM Prison Isle of Wight
• 1.15pm: Lunch at St Luke’s, Southsea, with community leaders
• 3pm: Visit to family fun day, St Margaret’s Southsea (details here)
• 7pm: Visit to HM Naval Base to meet members of the Royal Navy

SUNDAY:

• 10am: Centenary service at St Wilfrid’s Church, Cowplain, with previous vicars, plus lunch (details here)
• 4pm: ‘The Four’ family service at Christ Church, Gosport
• 6.30pm: Evensong with Anna Chaplains from across the diocese, at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield (details here)

You can read more about his visit here, and click on some of the specific events that are open to all below.