ARCHBISHOP JOHN SENTAMU'S
On Sunday evening, the Archbishop of York joined with Bishop Dr John Holder, rector Canon George Knight, and a number of other members of the clergy to help commemorate the church's 170th anniversary.
The plaque, with the inscription To The Glory Of God, was created from specially chosen stone.
Retired Bishop Wilfred Wood, speaking at the historic occasion before the service, said Sentamu had travelled to this island as a distinguished servant of God and not in chains.
"Men and women of every nationality, of every ethnic group, should be brought into his kingdom of love, justice, peace and true brotherhood.
"We thank God for this privilege of being allowed to touch this hem of the garment of history," he said.
Sentamu spoke to the congregation about his mission and told them they just needed to join in, as God was already at work.
He said it was not about activism but about how to be attentive to God and also to listen to the needs of the world.
Sentamu reminded them that God also loved a cheerful giver and the way people used money and their possessions said who was in charge of their life.
"Worship has to do with what we give. Those following Jesus have deep pockets and short arms," he said.
He told a tale of a beggar who asked the king for money and the king in return asked him for some of his rice. He counted five grains and handed them over and the king left, leaving the beggar to swear.
"A messenger of the king returned and gave him a pouch, and in it were five gold nuggets. He said: 'If only I had given him the whole bowl of rice, he would have given me all the money in the kingdom'."
Holder welcomed the archbishop, noting he had created history in a unique way and his achievements in office were many, as he brought a new sense of communion to Anglicanism with the diversity that was present elsewhere. (WB)