Porvoo or Bust
In Porvoo’s heart, where tales reside,
Stands a church with grace and pride.
Its spires pierce the azure sky,
A testament to faith held high.
Anon
Not long after chatting to my old boss Don Witts, he got back to me about the possibility of pursuing a Bishop’s certificate with Southwark Diocese.
Peter Graystone – Southwark Diocese
Not long after chatting to my old boss Don Witts, he got back to me about the possibility of pursuing a Bishop’s certificate with Southwark Diocese.
I got in touch with Southwark to enquire. They replied on the same day. The answer was no since I did not reside in London or the South East of the UK.
They did suggest that I try St Edmund’s Course, run by the Diocese of London. That was a non-starter since the online course was being brought back offline.
I then started a dialogue with Peter Graystone, Lay Training Officer of the Diocese of Southwark, who continued to try to help me. With his help, I could explore Spurgeon’s College, even though that was ultimately rejected due to being a Baptist College and not my cup of tea.
The primary thing Peter confirmed regarding the developing relationship with St George’s was:
the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church have a covenant which acknowledges the legitimacy of each others’ ordination. It is called the Porvoo Agreement. So the two are not distant.
About Rev Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell
Rev. Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell, an Englishman deeply connected to Thailand, was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on 28th May 2023.
In addition to his religious journey, he has worked as an online English teacher and pursued a career as an artist. He has also operated a tour desk business with his wife within international brand hotels.
Lloyd has extensive experience in the voluntary sector, specifically in addressing homelessness and social welfare.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and embraces opportunities to meet new people, see new places, explore cultural similarities, and celebrate differences.
