Norwegian celebration

This weekend has been a special time of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Norwegian Seamen's Mission in Rotherhithe (left).

The origin of the mission was in an evangelical revival that took place in the Church of Norway in the 1860s which led to attempts to minister the Gospel to Norwegian seamen around the world, including London.

The Surrey Docks closed in 1972, but the Norwegian Church continues to serve an ex-pat community of around 20,000.

Torbjorn Holt of the Norwegian Church in Rotherhithe

Last night there was a celebratory dinner at Southwark Cathedral, which included our own bishop, Christopher, the Bishop of
Bergen, and clergy from both churches.

Aswell, as speeches by several of those present, there were toasts to friendship and co-operation in the Gospel, as well as a toast, (proposed by Bishop Christopher) 'to the King of Norway and the Queen of England.'

Today there was a service of thanksgiving at the Norwegian Church, followed by a wonderful lunch, and, in keeping with the Norwegian theme,  a concert of music by Greig.

Congratulations to our Norwegian brothers and sisters on your 150th anniversary. We love having you in our deanery.