Hundreds gathered in Stafford for a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury who urged the church to keep "its finger on the pulse" to help people through uncertain times.
As part of his tour of the Diocese of Lichfield – which includes a visit to Stoke-on-Trent today Nov 8 – Dr Rowan Williams held a service at St Mary's Church yesterday when he asked the congregation to try to be "wise" and "joyous" as the region battles against the national economic crisis.
The 60-year-old said: "If we learn to be a wise church we can be a church with its finger on the pulse of reality.
"This isn't a wise world and neither is it a joyous world at the moment. It's a world that needs a wise church."
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The near two-hour service included readings and prayers from local clergy with choral performances by members of St Mary's, St Chad's in Shrewsbury and other churches in the diocese.
Reverend Prebendary Graham Fowell, rector at St Mary's, said: "It has been 750 years since we had an Archbishop of Canterbury visit St Mary's.
"It's been a wonderful privilege to have him here and I found it very uplifting."
Referring to the Archbishop's sermon, Rev Fowell added: "In shifting times we need to make contact with the God whose love never changes."
MORE AT: http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Tough-times-wise-church/article-28483
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