Archbishop of York

After my time in Australia, it was a joy to make my first official visit as Archbishop of York to the Anglican Diocese of Hong Kong Island. Thank you to everyone who made me feel so welcome. It was a privilege to experience something of the rich life, ministry and witness of the Church in Hong Kong. @AnglicanWorld

Today’s Daily Service on BBC Radio 4 Extra was recorded at Bishopthorpe Palace Chapel and is led by the Bishop of Hull, Eleanor Sanderson. Listen on BBC Sounds: bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0033pc…

Privileged to join the Hong Kong Province for the 135th anniversary of All Saints Cathedral where I was invited to give a blessing, surrounded by clergy and friends from across the Anglican Church. We are part of a much bigger story: the one family of God, called to live faithfully and hopefully in every generation.

Joyful celebrations at St John’s Cathedral in Hong Kong on All Saints Day. Today we remember all whose lives have witnessed to the love of God — those whose names are known to us and the many whose names are known only to God. “Through their poverty of spirit, the saints teach us about the power of the gospel to change lives. Their lives – ordinary, fragile and broken like ours – were changed and empowered by Christ…This can happen to us too. Our lives can be changed. God can do great things in us. We can be his saints." archbishopofyork.org/news/se… @AnglicanWorld

A prayer for All Saints Day 🙏

A wonderful morning visiting Holy Trinity Cathedral and schools nearby, meeting people and seeing the life of the Church in Hong Kong. One of the great joys of visiting churches in different parts of the Anglican Communion is seeing how the same faith is lived out in such different communities and contexts. I’m grateful for the welcome, the conversations and the opportunity to learn from the ministry taking place here. @AnglicanWorld

Today I visited Providence Gardens, seeing at first hand the Church’s commitment to serving people in some of the most challenging circumstances in the Province of Hong Kong. From supporting people with disabilities to providing transitional housing for those experiencing poverty, these ministries are a reminder that Christian faith is lived out not only in our worship, but in the way we care for one another.

Delighted to be in the Province of Hong Kong on my first official visit and to be welcomed by Andrew Chan, Primate and Archbishop of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui. So grateful for the welcome at Holy Trinity Cathedral and schools nearby, the conversations and the opportunity to learn from the ministry taking place here. @AnglicanWorld

My chosen book for #Advent this year is ‘Walking with Angels' by Eleanor Sanderson, Bishop of Hull. She encourages us to live with a greater consciousness of the interactions between heaven and earth, and to use the words of angels found in Scripture to pray for our communities. Through the spiritual practice of prayer walking, this reflective guide encourages readers to slow down, step outside, and engage both body and spirit as you journey through the Advent season. @SPCKPublishing

We need the gospel to transform our lives every day, and hearing afresh in a new context, and in a new way, the story of God’s love for us in Christ is very good news, and it has been wonderful to live and share that these last couple of weeks here in Australia. @AnglicanWorld

How wonderful it has been to visit the Anglican Diocese of Perth and Southern Queensland Australia these past couple of weeks. I’ve been to some incredible places and met some inspiring people along the way. Partnerships between Anglican churches across the world remind us that, although our contexts may be very different, we are part of one family in Christ. @AnglicanWorld

Delighted to spend time with Pastor Ray Minniecon, whose decades of ministry and leadership have been a powerful contribution to the Church and to the journey of reconciliation with First Nations peoples. Ray’s deep commitment to his Kabi Kabi and Gureng Gureng heritage, his South Sea Islander connections, and his work for justice, healing and reconciliation have much to teach us. Grateful for the opportunity to listen, learn and share in conversation. @AnglicanWorld

It was a joy to be at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane, to preach and lead a workshop on the Lord’s Prayer, and to spend time in conversation about preaching at St Francis Theological College, Milton, with Archbishop of Brisbane, The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves. Wherever I go, I find that if people know one prayer, it is usually the Lord’s Prayer. We have heard it and prayed it since childhood — in churches, at christenings and weddings, in moments of celebration and in times of sorrow. And yet, because the words are so familiar, we can sometimes forget just how radical they are. The Lord’s Prayer is not simply something to recite. It is an invitation to a way of life: to seek God’s kingdom, to forgive, to depend on God, to care for our neighbours and to live generously. Perhaps the challenge for all of us is not simply whether we know the Lord’s Prayer, but whether we allow its words to shape the way we live. It was a real privilege to reflect on that together in Brisbane.

I have received such a warm welcome to Brisbane. Had a fruitful time leading a workshop with local clergy, sharing about revitalising and renewing preaching ministry.

I’m in Brisbane visiting the Anglican Church Diocese of Southern Queensland Australia. Looking forward to sharing time and conversations with my sisters and brothers here, and I’ll be preaching, teaching listening and learning over the next few days.

I joined the Western Australian Anglican Schools Association Year 11 Student Leaders’ Day at Wollaston Theological College, speaking with students about Christian leadership. Thank you for the invitation, and for the work you are doing to encourage and equip the next generation of leaders.

Next on my visit to Australia, I visited the Art Gallery of Western Australia, where a collection of paintings by the great English artist Stanley Spencer is displayed. Speaking about Spencer’s paintings, I reflected on Christ in the Wilderness and the invitation that art gives us to pause, to look closely and to see again. Spencer’s work encourages us to spend time with the humanity of Christ — to notice, to wonder and perhaps to encounter familiar stories afresh. I give thanks to the Art Gallery of Western Australia for the opportunity to spend time with these remarkable works and for an evening of reflection, conversation and learning.