Parishes played host to seven clergy from Estonia at the end of February, as part of the Diocese's ecumenical link with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia.
The visitors enjoyed an exciting programme of visits to church communities and projects across the Diocese, as part of an ongoing friendship between the two churches.
Marko, Ülle, Diina, Margus, Arho, Arvet and Urmas stayed with parishes who already enjoy a companionship link with parishes in Estonia; Estonia, is one of the Baltic Republics just to the south of Finland.
Beginning their tour with a visit to Bennett Memorial school in Tunbridge Wells, the visitors took part in a Year 7 Communion Service with ashing. All noted how very impressed they were with how well behaved the students were and how respectful they were of others in the service.
The Rev Laurence Powell, Vicar of King Charles the Martyr in Tunbride Wells, shared a number of photos on twitter of the Estonian's stay in his parish, which even included some help on the Sunday morning:
"It was very special to have Diina join me at the Altar this morning as we continue to welcome our brothers and sisters from the Lutheran Church in Estonia."
Then came a series of study days, one at St Augustine’s College of Theology, in West Malling, and then a Bishop’s study day at Christ Church, Chislehurst, where the theme of 'vocations for all', was explored.
Next came a tour of the House of Lords, with Bishop James, where they were able to see the upper house in action.
The juxtaposition between the privileged corridors of power and the Medway Oaks drop-in centre for the homeless in Chatham, was a particularly poignant part of the trip.
No visit would have been complete without a trip to the Cathedral, where they caught the last day of The Museum of the Moon.
For the Rev. Dom de Mattos, Deacon at St Thomas, Southborough, and one of the main organisers of the visit, the aim was to give a real flavour of the Diocese and the challenges and opportunities faced:
"Our visitors have been given a range of experiences. From a glimpse of our history with a tour of Down House, home of Charles Darwin, and St Mary’s Downe, a church with a heritage stretching back over 700 years, to seeing our churches engage with the community. visiting the Medway Foodbank and the Places of Welcome at St Augustine’s, Gillingham.
He continued;
"Everywhere they visited extended the warmest of welcomes, and they expressed enormous appreciation of the kindness they have been shown by their hosts and by all they have met in the Diocese."