Celebrating Service and Community at the Bishop’s Palace
Over 1000 people from across the diocese joined the Bishop of Chichester during a series of receptions held at the Bishop’s Palace as part of the diocese of Chichester’s 950th celebrations.
The Bishop’s Marquee Series gives an opportunity for Bishop Martin to bring together and say thank you to a number of groups and individuals for their work in parishes, communities, and with groups and individuals on the fringes of society across Sussex.
Marquee receptions were held for:
- churchwardens,
- organists and lead church musicians,
- refugees and asylum seekers and those who have been supporting them,
- clergy and their families,
- Mayors and other civic representatives, the NHS and Emergency Services,
- representatives of charities, arts and sports organisations,
- lay synod representatives,
- headteachers and chairs of governors from church schools,
- members of the Order of St Richard,
- the staff and residents of St Mary’s Hospital, and the staff working at the Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace and Church House.
The marquee was also used for events by Chichester U3A, Friends of Chichester Cathedral, and Stonepillow and the Sussex Snowdrop Trust, two charities of which Bishop Martin is a patron.
Entertainment was provided by the Sleepy Lagoon Orchestra.
Speaking about the events, Bishop Martin said “It has been a great joy to welcome so many people to the Palace over the last month and thank them for what they do in many different ways in our churches and communities across Sussex. Saying ‘thank you’ is a very simple but important thing to do and it has been my privilege to do that in these events, especially as we celebrate 950 years of service to the people of Sussex”.