Latest news with #Anglican
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
St. Mary's Church Pune to celebrates 200th anniversary tomorrow
St. Mary's Church in Pune Cantonment, one of the city's oldest and most prominent Christian landmarks, will mark its 200th anniversary on Wednesday with a thanksgiving service at 5.30pm, followed by the felicitation of former reverends and a fellowship dinner. Sangeeta Kadam, Pastoral Committee Member, said the 200th anniversary marks a significant milestone for the church community. 'We are fully prepared for the thanksgiving service, which will also include the felicitation of former reverends, followed by a fellowship dinner to bring everyone together,' she said. Rev. Sophia Makasare, President and Presbyter-in-Charge, noted that the bicentenary celebrations will continue throughout the year. 'The service will be attended by the Bishop of Pune, along with other visiting bishops, diocesan clergy, and school principals,' she said. Originally built by the British East India Company to serve garrison troops stationed in Poona, St. Mary's Church began as a shared worship space for both Catholics and Anglicans, reflecting a spirit of ecumenical unity in colonial India. Today, it stands as an Anglican church under the Diocese of Pune (Church of North India). Its Colonial Gothic design, Mangalore tiled roof, stained glass windows, and 19th century pipe organ continue to embody its rich historical and architectural legacy. Ahead of the celebration, the church underwent restoration, including the refurbishment of the roof, structural reinforcement of lime columns, and upgraded lighting systems. Speaking on the restoration of the church, Rajeev Pandkar, restoration architect for St. Mary's Church, said, 'It is a rare honour to witness and contribute to the bicentenary of the church in our lifetime. I was privileged to lead the restoration using traditional methods that respect its original 200-year-old design.' He continues, 'The restoration work was undertaken with urgency and care. Despite several challenges, we completed major structural work. The remaining work is expected to be completed within the next month.' Sameer Londhe, a member of the congregation, said, 'The structure was so well built 200 years ago that the recent audit revealed only minimal restoration was needed.' The evening will conclude with a cultural programme and community potluck at Jambhulkar Gardens.
Cambrian News
18 hours ago
- Health
- Cambrian News
Rob James column: How UK's new laws mark a 'liberal shift'
In the same way, an Anglican bishop has helpfully pointed out, the Assisted dying Bill "does not prevent terminally ill people who perceive themselves to be a burden to their families and friends from choosing 'assisted dying', and that we could become 'a society where the state fully funds a service for terminally ill people to end their own lives but shockingly only funds around one third of palliative care. 'Let's hope and pray then, that the Senedd will continue to reject it.
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
A symbol of unity and faith
Sacred space: Uggah (centre) at the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Poh (right) and Chin. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The new Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan here stands as a striking landmark of Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. This could be seen in the church's location in the city centre in close proximity to other religious houses of worship, he said. 'We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. 'This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come,' he said at the church's opening ceremony yesterday in a speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. The new church is a mere 2km or 3km away from the Floating Mosque, St Thomas' Cathedral (Anglican), Sikh Temple and the Tua Pek Kong temple. And the Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Hindu temple is just 850m away. Abang Johari commended the spirit of togetherness that made the church a reality, as the Catholic community collaborated with friends and supporters from other faiths and walks of life. He said the completion of the church showcased what a united community could achieve with a shared purpose and collective goodwill. 'This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith,' he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh said St Peter's Church complemented Kuching's religious harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted that the opening ceremony was attended by people from different faiths who had been working together for peace and harmony. 'So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. 'Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project,' he said. The RM38mil church, which seats 1,000 people, commenced construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations as well as RM3mil in grants from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin said the building was inspired by the neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral here. 'In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. 'The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but was constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood,' he said. The church's Gothic features include spires, flying buttresses, pointed arches and stained glass windows. Chin said the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also said the tiles were produced by a local factory while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist and fittings by local artisans. 'This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it,' he said.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Bishop of Llandaff joins celebrations for Pride in Wales
The Rt Revd Mary Stallard presided over the Pride Eucharist at this year's event in Cardiff, which also marked a decade of the Faith Space at Pride Cymru—a partnership between Llandaff Diocese and The Gathering Cardiff, an ecumenical church for LGBTQ+ people and allies. Ms Stallard said: "It has been so special to be here at the Pride Eucharist. "Pride is just such a wonderful, welcoming festival, and I feel a great sense of being welcomed myself, as well as having an opportunity as Christians together to offer a welcome to everyone who is here." The Faith Space offers a place for prayer, reflection, and community during Pride, and is supported by volunteers from Anglican, Methodist, URC, Quaker, and other faith backgrounds. It also provides resources for LGBTQ+ people of other faiths. Revd Rosemary Hill from Open Table East Cardiff, Diocese of Monmouth, said: "It was a joy and a privilege to be part of Pride in Cardiff this year. "It was wonderful to be able to demonstrate how far the Church in Wales has come in terms of inclusion in the last 10 years, but also acknowledge how far is left to go and to be a hopeful presence for LGBTQ+ people, both within and outside the Church." The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Andrew John, also welcomed the church's involvement, stating its commitment to inclusion and learning from past mistakes.
Leader Live
7 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
New vicar for Connah's Quay to be licensed this Sunday
The Rev Darren Quinlan is set to be licensed as the new vicar by the Bishop of St Asaph. The Service of Welcome, led by the Rt Rev Gregory Cameron and the Ven. Hayley Matthews, will bring together the Anglican churches on Deeside. Mr Quinlan said: "I am incredibly delighted to begin this new chapter of ministry in Deeside Mission Area. "It is a real privilege to be called to serve this community, and I feel truly blessed that God has guided me and my family to Connah's Quay." His ministry journey began in Manchester, serving in the Rochdale and Oldham mission communities. He attributes this experience to his deep appreciation for faith's role in everyday life. READ MORE: Wrexham's River Island shop among those set to be closed by the company On March 29, 2025, Mr Quinlan married his wife, Mirela, and they are eager to start their new life at the New Vicarage in Connah's Quay. Outside of his pastoral duties, Mr Quinlan enjoys long countryside or beach walks, finding peace and God's presence in these quiet spaces. The Rt Rev Gregory Cameron said: "It is good to welcome Darren Quinlan as a new priest for Connah's Quay and its congregations. "Darren has only recently been ordained following a career in policing, and he is looking forward to serving with enthusiasm in this new context."
