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Ecumenical start to Archbishop Justin's Norfolk visit 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, is visiting the Diocese of Norwich for three days in November and will begin his visit with an ecumenical act of worship at St John the Baptist’s Catholic Cathedral in Norwich.

The visit, from November 7-9, is just a few days away from the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War One and this, combined with his passion for reconciliation, has contributed strongly to the shaping of his programme which will take him across Norfolk. 

The Archbishop will arrive in Norwich on Wednesday 7 November and will start his visit at St John's Cathedral for an ecumenical act of worship. Everyone is welcome to attend the event which will start at 12noon.

At 5.30pm the Archbishop will attend Evensong at Norwich Anglican Cathedral, followed by an evening of exploration into the subject of reconciliation.

In the context of the World War One anniversary, the evening will highlight not only the world’s need for peace today but also the fact that every single one of us is called to be a peacemaker. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’, Jesus tells us. “Love your enemies”. But what might this actually look like in your life and mine? The event aims to offer lots of ideas.

Everyone is warmly invited to the evening – to all of it or as much as you can manage. It will begin at 5.30pm with Choral Evensong and end at 9.15pm after Compline by Candlelight. At 6.30pm, you will be able to spend time moving around some specially devised Stations of Reconciliation.

At 7.15pm, Bishop Graham will chair ‘Reflections on Reconciliation’ and will include opening contributions from a richly diverse panel including Pastor Rolf Stahl from Koblenz, Norwich’s German twin-town; Dr Marian Prinsley, President of the Norwich Hebrew Congregation; those who will speak about the need for reconciliation in a world peopled by homeless refugees and also in a divided Church.

In response to these initial reflections, the Archbishop will make his own presentation before leading into a time of gathered silence and prayer. There will then be more time for people to make their pilgrimage around the Stations of Reconciliation before Compline brings the evening to a close.

On Thursday November 8, Archbishop Justin will be in the East of the Diocese. This will be a unique opportunity to hear the Archbishop in conversation with BBC Look East’s Andrew Sinclair about being a Christian disciple. Everyone is invited to come along to enjoy a light bite of fish and chips at Great Yarmouth Minster at 7.30pm. You may even be served your fish and chips by the Archbishop himself!  

Both events are free to attend, and everyone is welcome to come along. To attend the evening at Great Yarmouth Minster please book your free place below. 
 
More details at Diocese of Norwich

Bishop of Norwich Graham James said: “I’m delighted that Archbishop Justin will be spending time in the Diocese in November.  His first public appearance in the run-up to his enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury took place here in Norwich in February 2013 and it will be a delight to welcome him back. 
 
“Archbishop Justin knows Norfolk well, having spent a good deal of time here with members of his family and their friends during his childhood.  His affection for Norfolk dates from those early days, and I know that he will be assured a warm welcome."

Pictured above is Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby when he visited Norwich in 2013. Picture © Keith Morris