On Sunday, March 12, Lent III, Bishop John Stephens visited his parish of St. Mary the Virgin, Sapperton for the second time in his episcopacy.
Vicar, the Reverend Arvin Amayag and the parish pulled out all the stops to welcome the bishop who preached and presided at the liturgy accompanied by postulant for ordination, Kevin de la Mare. Kevin filled the role of liturgical assistant.
There are many posed photos, the presentation of a beautiful gift (a woven backpack), a sumptuous luncheon, dancing and singing performed by members of the parish of all ages, the participation of the visitors in a traditional Gong Dance, a meeting with parish leaders and a meeting with parish youth.
Many thanks to Fr. Arvin for curating and sending these photos in to diocesan communications, and for sending in the video linked below of the younger members of the parish leading a Gong Dance with Bishop John and Kevin participating.
We hope you enjoy the photos posted (there are three dozen photos in the top scroll of this post) which encapsulate the morning and early afternoon of the bishop's visit.
The two photos in the many body of the post are a posed photo of all who were available, gathered outside the church and at the bottom a photo of all at the reception.
