Link Visit to Ashwell

Just to prove we are not only doing our academic studies, but we are spending time visiting our link churches, here is a pic of us with the Vicar of St Mary's Ashwell with St Nicholas Hinxworth in the Diocese of St Albans.
Our visit took place over the weekend of 11th/12th October and we were privileged to meet the congregations of both Ashwell and Hinxworth and together celebrated the baptism of baby James - a member of St Mary's congregation.

St Mary's is well known for its medieval graffiti scattered throughout the church building. The writing located in the tower indicates that the Plague came to the village in 1350 and left in 1361 when there were severe gales. Whereas the graffiti on the pillars ranges from the serious wisdom "as many joys of the font as there are sorrows of Calvary's cross" to the more humorous,
"The Archdeacon is an ass" and "the corners are not jointed correctly. I spit on them" no doubt from an upset architect.

Don't believe me?
Go take a look at the website:http://www.stmarysashwell.org.uk/church/graffiti_pillars.htm

Back in Blighty

Sorry about the blog absence!
We arrived back in the UK on Sept 11th and have been busy with lectures, link visits and of course our UK wedding blessing!

We continue to get news from Sri Lanka and the situation continues to worsen. All NGO (Red Cross, Save the Children) personnel have been asked to leave the Vanni area as government troops are now closing in on the LTTE strong hold of Kilinochi. As no journalists are allowed into these areas it is difficult to get an accurate picture of what is exactly happening.
The civilian population in these areas are now leaving in massive numbers fearing bombings, landmines and other military activities. About 200,000 are estimated to be displaced - but the numbers are going up all the time.
The government have now announced that it needs a 20% increase in defence spending for 2009 taking it to a record 1.6 billion dollars.

Another Bomb Blast in Colombo

Today - Saturday 30th August there is news of at least 43 people being injured by a bomb blast in an area of Colombo known as the Pettah. A popular place for shopping especially on a Saturday lunchtime.

According to the BBC website aid agencies say that there are now more than 134,000 displaced civilians in the North of the island.

Our retreat leader was a Roman Catholic priest working in Jaffna both as a parish priest and university lecturer. He can confirm that huge numbers of people are now living under trees and in open areas. The government has promised safe passage to IDP camps, but there is controversy concerning conditions and treatment at these camps. It took him 10 days to get permission to come down to Colombo for the retreat- going from different camps and checkpoints trying to find someone who could arrange a pass.

2 of our Diocesan clergy were unable to travel to Colombo for the retreat.

Bishop's Latest Press Release

A Call to Protect Civilians

A Statement by the Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo

CEYLON 080827-1 August 27, 2008

[The Church of Ceylon (E-P) - Ceylon] People of conscience are perturbed that the current war in the LTTE occupied Vanni places the majority of civilians at tremendous risk. Unarmed and trapped in this war zone, large numbers of civilians, including children, are caught in the intense cross-fire of a deadly armed confrontation. Thousands are already displaced and can flee only to places of temporary safety.

The situation faced by these civilians is even more desperate since they cannot act independently. They are under conflicting pressure from both sides to support their respective strategies of movement and fear reprisals if they do not. Their dilemma adds to their suffering.

Since both the GOSL and the LTTE claim they are in this war for the liberation of these very civilians, it is imperative that they jointly invite and assist the ICRC and UNHCR to set up peace corridors and peace zones for the safety of civilians. My Roman Catholic colleague, the Rt Revd Thomas Savundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna, has already made this suggestion and it needs to be reiterated. If for some reason these agencies are unable to intervene, then an inter-religious group of leaders must be invited to do so.

The Government’s assurance that food, infant milk powder, medicine and other essential commodities are being supplied to the people of this region is to be commended. This process must be monitored by a senior Cabinet Minister in collaboration with the civil administration in the Vanni. It will also require facilitation by the military if it is to function smoothly in the circumstances of the war.


The Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera
Bishop of Colombo
27th August 2008

Breakfast at the Detention Centre

A real blessing this morning - wasn't sure if we would have enough food for the large number of detainees at the centre, but after the reading of the feeding of the 5,000, we discovered we had more than enough to give out.

More Wedding Pics

Wedding Pics!

Mr & Mrs Mathew