As part of getting ready for the Lambeth Conference in 2020, a new initiative called ‘The Big Hello’ has been launched this week.

‘The Big Hello’ is part of the conference’s large hospitality programme that will see dioceses and churches in England, Wales and Scotland hosting guests for up to a week in advance of the event. It is open to every active bishop and spouse invited to the Lambeth Conference in 2020.

The aim of the Big Hello is to see churches and communities that have bishops attending the Lambeth Conference to share stories and prayers with one another in advance of the event and celebrate important communion connections between Anglican dioceses around the world.

Phil George, CEO of the Lambeth Conference Company said:

“The Lambeth Conference is a once-a-decade international event that will see over one thousand bishops and spouses travelling to the UK. The hospitality initiative is a really important part of the Lambeth Conference in 2020.

Our prayer is that it creates a chance to say ‘a big hello’ to one another and learn from cultures and traditions in other settings. Across the communion, the hospitality programme provides a chance to build relationships and create new ones, not just between bishops and spouses, but between churches, dioceses, communities and countries across the world.

​The Lambeth Conference Company is working in partnership with dioceses across the UK to make this happen and we express our thanks for the exciting things they are planning to welcome our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Churches taking part can download publicity from the Lambeth Conference web site, send ‘Big Hello’ messages to the dioceses they are hosting via social media and share prayers and hopes for the event.

For more information, visit the Big Hello pages on the Lambeth Conference web site here.