It was an honour and a blessing to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, to the Diocese of Leicester this past weekend.
In a wide-ranging tour of our churches, schools, chaplaincies and Cathedral, culminating in a joyful centenary worship gathering at Athena Leicester on Sunday afternoon, Archbishop Sarah met people from across our wonderfully diverse diocese and shared in the life and ministry of our communities.
There were so many beautiful moments throughout the weekend. The visit enabled Archbishop Sarah to spend meaningful time with people of the diocese, bringing her pastoral warmth, encouragement and compassion to those she met.
Whether worshipping, listening, sharing stories of faith, or celebrating the rich, intercultural identity of our diocese, she showed a genuine desire to connect with people young and old, and hear about the hopes, challenges and opportunities facing our churches and communities.
Archbishop Sarah was greeted with warm smiles and bright flowers at Leicester train station on Friday evening by children, their families, and Revd Sunny George from All Saints Belgrave, before a packed weekend unfolded.
On Friday night, Bishop Martyn hosted an informal meal for Archbishop Sarah, with senior members of his team and Bishop Bethuel, the Bishop of Kiteto, from our link diocese in Tanzania, who has made the journey to celebrate with friends and colleagues in the diocese and continue the partnership work we have established in our churches and schools.
Bright and early on Saturday morning, Archbishop Sarah met with staff, children and their families, at Sheepy Magna Church of England Primary School in rural Leicestershire.
Faithful members of the local parish Open the Book team, alongside Revd Julia Hargreaves, shared the story of Creation, performed the fabulous Open the Book rap, and led the little ones in a rousing chorus of Who Put the Colours in the Rainbow, during Collective Worship.
A shining example of school and church community working together in loving service and the nurturing of faith, Archbishop Sarah was invigorated by the opportunity to talk pastorally of her role as the ‘shepherd’ in the village of many sheep.
A short walk down the road to All Saints, accompanied by the church bells, and the Archbishop was shown how its reordering project has 
helped created a space for the church to offer hospitality and a welcome to its community, through endeavours such as its monthly brunch.
A church at the heart of its community, more than 70 people from the village and neighbouring rural area came together to share conversation over a delicious, cooked breakfast delivered by the church team of volunteers.
Archbishop Sarah was able to spend time with many parishioners during the course of the morning, hearing personal stories of loss and hope, and praying for those with whom she spoke.
She also took the spiral staircase up to the bell tower and chatted with the ringers.
There was more hospitality in the next gathering over lunch at Bishop’s Lodge, where Archbishop Sarah described it as a privilege to spend time with young women from different faith groups who meet monthly to talk about each other’s faith and their own.
Organised by St Philip’s Centre, the “Chatting Faith” group has been gradually growing in number and diversity of religion among young women aged 18-25 in the last few months of meeting.
The interfaith group were not afraid to ask Archbishop Sarah hard questions and were genuinely interested in all she had to say. They were inspired to see a woman in such a senior leadership role and wanted to know how she handled criticism and opposition.
Next on her travels, Archbishop Sarah visited the Leicester Royal Infirmary, where she met the Trust’s Chaplaincy Team and volunteer chaplains, who together provide the hospital’s multi-faith and belief chaplaincy service, including Anglican ministry. Gathering in the hospital’s Spiritual Centre, she heard about the vital role chaplaincy plays in supporting patients, families and staff, often accompanying people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The Archbishop then visited Ward 31, where she spent time speaking with patients and frontline colleagues. Staff were deeply impressed by her knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing healthcare workers and chaplaincy teams today. Her interactions with patients, chaplains and volunteers were marked by warmth and compassion, reflecting the considerable experience she brings to this ministry.
It was a delight to welcome so many from across the diocese to Saturday’s Choral Evensong at Leicester Cathedral as we began the celebrations for the centenary of our Cathedral and Diocese.
The Very Revd Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester, said: “We joyfully held the liturgical centre as we began the celebrations of 100 years of our common Anglican life in the city and county.
“We were able to offer faithful expression of the English choral tradition and our intercultural identity, and Archbishop Sarah’s words affirmed our Diocesan life and God’s faithfulness in shaping us.”
Many people have commented on the Archbishop’s warmth, wisdom and humility as she answered questions after the service from across the diocese and shared her love for the Church and Jesus Christ.
Before she left, Archbishop Sarah was presented with one of local artist Sarah Kirby’s prints, ‘Picking’, which reflects women harvesting a garden together.
“As female clergy here at the Cathedral we appreciate working in the garden of Anglican ministry alongside Archbishop Sarah,” said Dean Karen.
Finally on Saturday evening, Archbishop Sarah visited St Andrew's Church, Jarrom Street, to offer pastoral support and prayers following the devastating fire that swept through the building just a few months ago, causing extensive damage to the roof and interior.
“It’s hugely encouraging for us to be seen and noticed,” says Fr Johannes Arens, parish priest. “It was an honour to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury back to St Andrew’s, and wonderful to receive such support during difficult times. We want people to know that we are open for business, continuing to serve our community with hope and faith. As Christians, we are an Easter people, and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!”
Sunday morning began with a community breakfast in Loughborough, and a glimpse into the “We’re All Saints” arts and education project led by All Saints with Holy Trinity Church’s intercultural worshipping community team.
Celebrating the town’s cultural diversity through artwork, schools’ projects and intercultural worship, the project features commissioned paintings of saints from around the world and creative RE work with local pupils, exploring themes of inspiration, belonging and faith.
Project manager, Kate Burns, said being able to show Archbishop Sarah the four Loughborough Saints paintings and to talk about the creative work and deep spiritual thinking that more than 1000 Loughborough school children have done around their themes was such a privilege.
Archbishop Sarah was particularly drawn to St Martha’s message of hospitality and welcome.
Stepping out of the hall, Archbishop Sarah was beckoned by the enthusiastic ‘Muddy Saints’ who meet once a month in the wonderful wild garden next to the church.
Archbishop Sarah was delighted to get creatively involved, making gigantic bubbles and tie dying fabric alongside the group’s small children, while exclaiming that though she had walked many muddy paths, she had never experienced muddy church in this wonderful manner and what a great way to worship.
In the bell tent, she read a story about creation from the Book of Belonging, the words ‘God sang a love song and life emerged,’ resonating.
The morning ended with a celebratory Creationtide Holy Communion in church.
Talking at the close, the Revd Emily Sharman said: “Archbishop Sarah’s visit was bookended by ministry with adults: beginning with breakfast alongside the Intercultural Worshipping Community team, local leaders and community partners, and ending at our parish Holy Communion service, where she preached and presided.
“But it was her ministry to our youngest and most vulnerable that will remain with me always. Archbishop Sarah removed her shoes and entered the Muddy Saints tent. She read to our children, prayed with them, and left them in no doubt that their worship tent was holy ground.
“Her visit was extraordinary. The head of the Church of England taking time to nurture the faith of each one of us exactly as she found us: inclusive, intercultural and muddy.”
Last but by no means least, and the culmination of what was an incredible couple of days, Archbishop Sarah was the guest of honour at our Diocesan Centenary Celebration Worship Gathering.
More than 450 people from our parish churches, schools, chaplaincies, Cathedral, charities, and our wider diocesan communities, attended the event at Athena Leicester on Sunday afternoon. Even BBC East Midlands Today came along to film a news report.
It was a wonderful celebration of faith, a showcase of our history and our current reality - a reflection that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
A programme rich with choral music from the Cathedral Junior Boys and Girls choir, together with moving contributions from the SoundCafe and Hands of Praise Deaf Choir, prayer, liturgy, intercultural worship, presentations and priorities, food, drink and conversation, so many of us who attended said it was wonderful to feel part of something bigger – to know that we are all part of the Diocese of Leicester, our Cathedral, and the one Body of Christ.
We are deeply grateful for Archbishop Sarah’s visit, her ministry among us, and the encouragement she brought. Throughout the weekend, she encouraged us to continue on our journey of being “Shaped by God" with hope, and this visit will leave a lasting impression on many who had the privilege of meeting her and sharing in this special occasion as we continue to mark the centenary of our diocesan life.
*Photos by Chris Roe, Joshua Jones,
Lambeth Palace Communications and the Diocese of Leicester
We'll be sharing individual stories from each of the places Archbishop Sarah visited over the coming days and weeks.
Did you meet Archbishop Sarah during her visit to the Diocese of Leicester, or attend our Centenary Celebration Worship Gathering?
We'd love to hear your memories and reflections as we share stories from across the weekend.
Email Communications@LeicesterCofE.org