ALMOST 60 Anna Chaplains and colleagues met at our cathedral for their annual Candlemas gathering - and heard about the power of stories.

Anna Chaplains, who offer spiritual support to the elderly around our diocese, were joined by Anna Friends and those considering the ministry for fellowship and to be inspired by a number of guest speakers.

Caroline Free, from the Anna Chaplain team based at Warblington-with-Emsworth shared the story of their vision for a space for those living with dementia and their carers. It came to fruition in the form of an 'Anna Cafe' under the leadership of their curate, the Rev Lizzie Davidson. The Anna Cafe community are thriving with many, including carers, calling it 'their church' - despite having no church background or particular connection otherwise. 

Gemma Gillard, chief executive and founder of the charity Truth Be Told, shared why stories are so valuable in sharing God's love. She told those gathered that 'truth plus story' is often a more palatable ay of communicating things. Gemma encouraged them to recognise that we are all part of God's story and our stories matter.

Bible Reading Fellowship's (BRF) Marian Muskett and Debbie Thrower, who originally founded Anna Chaplaincy in Alton, joined them for the afternoon, sharing their own stories. They encouraging those gathered to stay connected with the network of over 480 Anna Chaplains nationally through regular gatherings and training being offered.

In closing the afternoon, Bishop Jonathan encouraged them all to consider their baptism, and that people's stories are not complete at that point.He pointed out that we grow into our baptism - our story in God - illustrating this with his own story of a somewhat oversized jacket he wore in his youth!