08/05/2023
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been serving lunch at a homeless charity today (Monday 8th May) for The Big Help Out.
Together with his wife, Mrs Caroline Welby, the Archbishop visited Catching Lives in Canterbury. The Archbishop is Patron of Catching Lives, which is an independent charity supporting people in Canterbury and East Kent who are homeless or whose housing arrangements are insecure.
The objective of The Big Help Out is to raise awareness of volunteering throughout the UK and provide opportunities for people to experience volunteering and make a difference in their communities.
Yesterday (Sunday 7th May), the Archbishop and Caroline took part in a picnic in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral as part of The Big Lunch.
In response to the Coronation on Saturday, as well as The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out, a Lambeth Palace spokesperson said:
"We are delighted with the enthusiasm and support for King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Coronation – at Westminster Abbey, up and down the country and around the world – as we marked this historic moment in our national life. We give thanks for a beautiful service that was both sacred and solemn, joyful and inspiring, and suffused with the love of God.
“For the Church, it was a moment to reflect on the commitment that The King and Queen have made to serve God and the people. It was also an opportunity to thank all those who devote their lives others, and recommit ourselves to loving service in our communities and beyond.
“The Coronation service was both traditional and contemporary, and we are grateful for the participation of people across generations and from many backgrounds and faith communities, to reflect who we are as a wonderfully diverse nation.
“The Archbishops and Bishops have loved spending the Coronation weekend with their local communities and congregations through the Big Lunch and the Big Help Out, both events inspired by the themes of unity and Christ's call to loving service that shaped Saturday’s Coronation."
More information about Catching Lives can be found here: Catching Lives - Canterbury Open Centre
