The churches of St Peter Mancroft in Norwich and St Matthew’s, Thorpe Hamlet, along with Norwich Cathedral, have received sanctuary awards in recognition of their work in fostering a culture of welcome and inclusion for all.
As part of the Faiths Stream of Sanctuary Award programme, run by City of Sanctuary UK, the Norfolk trio were selected for having responded to the call to ‘welcome the stranger’ – through protection and hospitality, while providing respect and equality, to all who walk through their doors.
Pictured above (L-R) are churchwarden Brigid Everitt, accepting the award for St Matthew’s, Revd Canon Andy Bryant on behalf of Norwich Cathedral, and Catherine Waddams, the Pastoral Co-ordinator at St Peter Mancroft.
Sharing their joy at being recognised at the awards ceremony, a statement from St Peter Mancroft Church said:
“St Peter Mancroft are delighted to receive this award which recognises and enables us to signal to the wider community that we extend a welcome to everyone, especially people who are seeking sanctuary, both political and spiritual.
“We hope that many more visitors will come to our wonderfully exuberant building in the centre of Norwich, during the week or for our Sunday and weekday services and events.”