Blessings all round

It was a bumper day for our churches yesterday with three special services.

Getting ready for the outdoor baptisms

First up, was our united baptism service at St James in the morning with five children baptised at the font, and three adults baptised by immersion in an inflatable  pool in the churchyard.

We had just got to that point in our sermon series from Romans where the Apostle Paul reveals the answer to our greatest question 'how can I be put right with God.'

It was great to hear his answer: 'God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ' and to hear each of our three adult candidates testify to their faith (below) before they were baptised.

So God bless all our candidates from the youngest, Josiah, (just two months old - he slept blissfully through the whole thing) - to the other children, Joshua, Leo, Ava, Sophia, to Gareth, Daniel, and Asha who were baptised outside.

Next up, it was to Southwark Cathedral at 3pm to see Adrian Greenwood installed as a Lay Canon, a very well deserved honour, marking his many years of service to the Diocese. not least as Lay Chair of the Diocesan Synod. Thank you. Adrian, for all you do and congratulations from all of us at St James & St Anne's.

Marian & Adrian after the service in the Cathedral

From the Cathedral, it was a short hop to St Mary Magdalen in Bermondsey Street for the Bermondsey Deanery Confirmation, presided over by Bishop Karowei, at which our three candidates, Gareth, Daniel, and Asha were confirmed.

It was a great conclusion to a truly blessed day. Thank you, Lord.

Here are some more pictures (thanks Pat):