Leaders to gather in Canterbury, Official opening of new office

The annual Standing Committee meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion and the Anglican Consultative Council is expected to take place from 1-4 March in Canterbury. Goals and programs will be set during the annual meeting as well as the work of the Anglican Communion as a whole being reviewed.

Recommendations for the Communion life such as the Lambeth Conference 2008 and the new post to replace Canon John L. Peterson after his retirement at the end of this year will also be reviewed. Standing Committee members are chosen among fellow ACC members or Primates to represent different regions of the Anglican Communion.

Also, the official opening of the new Anglican Communion Office in London is also expected to take place Friday 5 March. A Solemn Eucharist and Blessing of the new office (ACO) will be held at 10.30am with the Archbishop of Canterbury presiding. The ACO moved into the refurbished St. Andrew’s House, Westbourne Park, London, this past Christmas.

Archbishop Rowan Williams will celebrate the Eucharist and bless rooms and offices throughout the House. Bishop John Paterson, chairman of the ACC, will preach. Representatives from around the Communion will take part in this celebration. "We expect people from Wales, Ireland, England, Uganda, Central Africa, West Indies, India, Palestine, USA, Syria, and many other places to be with us next week. Truly a global event," said ACC Secretary General Canon L. Peterson.

The ACO moved from the Partnership House in London. Brochures on the new office can be obtained from the Secretary General at aco@anglicancommunion.org.