Our celebration of Christ the King went really well yesterday- and there was a very pleasing turnout. BUt more of that later (once the photographs are ready!) So before we look back let us look forward and introduce this year’s Advent Preachers.
Having visiting preachers during Advent is a tradition I started at S. Barnabas on my arrival. It works really well as it gives the congregation a welcome break from my dulcet tones, whilst allowing me to dedicte my normal sermon prep time to Christmas preparations. So everyone a winner! Who do we have visiting us this year?
Advent 1: Revd Fr Edward Dowler
Father Edward serves at S. Stephen’s House Theological College in Oxford where he is currently Director of Pastoral Theology, Admissions Tutor and Vice-Principal, also teaching Ethics. He read English at Oxford, and trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge. He served his title in suburban North London, followed by team ministry near Euston Station. He has recently been awarded a doctorate on the pastoral theology of St Augustine of Hippo. He is married to Anna, a journalist, and they have a daughter, Eleanor and a son, Gregory
Advent 2: Rt. Revd Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester
+MIchael is the 106th Bishop of Rochester. Born in Pakistan he read economics, Islamic history, and sociology at the University of Karachi before studying for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He has a number of other doctorates too! +Michael began parish life in native Pakistan, becoming the youngest Bishop in the Anglican Communion in the process. When his life was threatened by Muslims he returned to England under the invitation of the then ABC- ++Robert Runcie. He became Assistant Bishop at Lambeth before taking up his current post in 1994. +Michael is maried to Valerie and they have two sons, Shammy and Ross.
Advent 3: Revd Fr. Ivan Aquilina SSC, parish priest of S. John the Baptist, Sevenoaks
A less comprensive biography this time as I cannot pinch facts off the internet, so I shall tell you what I know! Fr. Ivan recently moved to Sevenoaks from All Saints, Margaret Street. A native of Malta, Father Ivan is an expert in liturgy and the life and theology of S. Dominic. He is known to many- due to his most excellent blog, listed on the right. Since being at Sevenoaks Father Ivan has overseen a fantastic ‘year of grace’ which has been full of exciting and innovative occasions. He is married to Claudia and has two delightful children Domenico and Maria-Pia.
Advent 4: Revd Fr. Geoffrey Kirk
A less than factual account once again but then Fr Geoffrey needs little by way of introduction. He is currently Vicar of S. Stephen’s Lewisham and also National Secretary of Forward in Faith. Amongst the finest brains in the Catholic movement he regularly writes witty and informative items for New Directions, and has faithfully served the Catholic cause in many ways. Indeed it was he who first sported the vital tag line ‘a code of practice will not do!’ Fr. Geoffrey is famous for being the Anglo-Catholic priest most likely to be found dressed as a low churchman- for he often opts for shirt and tie over clerical collar!
Although I am not nearly as august a company Bishop Nazir-Ali. If you need anybody for next Advent, let me know
Of course, you will have to put up with weird American accents in the sermon.
Sure thing! Let me know which Sunday works best! A sermon resulting from the blog will be most excellent!
In all seriousness, shoot me an e-mail about this. I would seriously consider doing it, but would need to know in advance. Airline tickets and all that…