Today’s Word from Pastor Katrina…
Pictured: The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE Archbishop of Canterbury with Rt Rev Paulina Hławiczka-Trotman of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain on March 25, 2026.
This week on March 25th, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Elizabeth Mulally, was installed at Canterbury Cathedral! I had received word from my internship supervisor in Nottingham, the Rt Rev Paulina Hławiczka-Trotman, that she would be at the service and that it should be visible on BBC1. Sadly, most BBC media doesn’t work well in the US, but I was able to watch it LIVE on You Tube- SO THRILLING! You too can see it at this link here.
Many of you may know that for 6 days, Bishop Mulally walked for 87 miles on the Becket Camino route from London to Canterbury as part of her spiritual preparation for her new role at Canterbury Cathedral. She arrived at the cathedral on foot, and the service began– and WHAT A GORGEOUS SERVICE! The Cathedral itself is amazing, and the cameras are set up in such a way that you really get unique perspectives you wouldn’t otherwise see as an observer on the ground. As I watched the way the sunlight streamed between the columns I wondered if the architecture was meant to imitate tall old-growth forests!
I loved so many of the details in the service itself– the way she banged her staff on the door (like Gandalf visiting Bilbo’s house!), and the children who greeted her at said door. I think I shrieked in surprise and dropped my toast when I heard the voice of Bishop Paulina greeting her sister in Christ, talking about the importance of unity as an ecumenical agreement was presented to join voices in prayer and service to the Gospel in the United Kingdom! She signed and pledged herself “to strive for the full visible unity of Christ’s Church in truth and love.”
The African Choir of Norfolk sang a Swahili song “Hata Milele, Jesu ni bwana” which means “Even forever, Jesus is Lord!” and later “Our Creator we praise, everything was created by you!” Their voices, dresses, dancing and JOY could be felt all the way on this side of the world! The Gospel reading from Luke 1:26-38 was read by the Most Rev. Alba Sally Sue Hernández García, Archbishop of Mexico in Spanish!
The new Archbishop sat upon the chair of St. Augustine which dates from the year 1201-1204 and represents the continuity of the Archbishop’s authority. From there she gave her first sermon and shared words that echoed throughout the service: along our pilgrim paths, we show up- HERE I AM- and nothing will be impossible with God. She named the challenges we currently face, and the ordinary lives of people who continue to do so many extraordinary acts of love!!
I thought so much of all of the dear people here at Trinity as I watched the service– how you also come together in unity and continue to do so many extraordinary acts of love! I am so thrilled to offer congratulations and blessing to The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury!
Your humble servant,
Pastor Katrina
pastorkat@trinityfreeland.org
