On Saturday 24 January 2009, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, launched the ninth centenary celebrations of the Diocese ...
... He was assisted by the Bishop of Ely, Dr Anthony Russell and the Bishop of Huntingdon, Dr David Thomson at a special service in the Cathedral, which was attended by c.1400 people.
On this page you can view, listen to or read the sermon preached by Dr Rowan Williams at the Eucharist to celebrate the nine-hundredth annivarsary of the See of Ely.
Dr Williams spent two days seeing for himself the rich diversity of what is now the fastest growing region in the UK. This included a visit to Cambourne where building work for a new church starts next month, a 10,000 hectare Fenland farm and a group of parishes in agricultural Fenland in contrast to the well-populated areas of the Diocese.
Each parish has drawn up a Mission Action Plan which details its current activities, future plans and resources. During the service the Archdeacons, the Ven John Beer and the Ven Hugh McCurdy, presented the plans to the Archbishop.
Before leaving, each parish representative collected a bag containing leather bookmarks with the Ely 900 prayer, badges, stickers, flyers and candles.
Following the launch, churches across the diocese will be celebrating their remarkable history with a programme of outstanding events across Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk. Throughout 2009, the Diocese will be giving thanks for its long and rich history of Christian witness, and also devising new ways of passing on the Christian faith to future generations.
Detailed information about Ely 900 may be found on the Diocese of Ely website.
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