The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Rev'd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, presided at a Holy Communion Service for the Saffron Walden Deanery at St Mary's Church on July 20.
Instead of a traditional sermon, the Bishop gave an account of growing up in Iran - including during the 1979 Iranian revolution - as a daughter of the Bishop of Iran and a missionary mother, and seeking refuge with her parents in the UK.
Bishop Guli also described her appreciation of the Diocese of Chelmsford, and urged the congregation not to be fearful and anxious in the face of financial restraints and smaller numbers following the pandemic, but to be hopeful and to show what it means to be God's people in the community.
She said: "I’m grateful for the warm welcome I was given during my visit to the Saffron Walden Deanery which was made particularly special by the opportunity to preside at their service of Holy Communion.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here