The Spouses Conference opened today as the delegates gathered for the first time. The 550 or so spouses are meeting in the huge sports hall which has been transformed into an attractive café style meeting room to facilitate the conversation. 

After worship led by the Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin (London diocese) who is chaplain to the Spouses Conference, Mrs Jane Williams greeted the spouses and said how much she was looking forward to the next two weeks. She thanked her international planning group who had been such a help in forming the shape of the spouses’ conference, and said that she felt upheld by prayer from all around the world.

The room, Mrs Williams said, was full of incredible people – even if none of them had ever imagined as teenagers that they would become bishops’ spouses. The delegates were “God’s gift to each other”, she said.

“When you tell your stories the others in your group they will be amazed. When you hear their stories, you will be amazed,” she said.

The first chapter of the storytelling conversation began as delegates introduced themselves around their tables over coffee.

During the plenary Mrs Williams also welcomed the International President of the Mothers’ Union, Rosemary Kempsell, who spoke about the work of the organisation.

After the plenary the spouses moved into their Bible Study groups around the campus. Later in the day they will have the opportunity to gather in Provincial groups.