The will of the Founder, Thomas White says ‘I will have the Chefe Governors to be ever the President the two Deanes and fowr of the auncient the Ministers of the saide Colledge for the tyme being…and their Counte Day to be within tenne dayes of Easter warned before for ever and then to have a convenient dinner….’ Whilst the Sion College Annual General Meeting and Feast isn't always within ten days of Easter, it does always take place in Eastertide. The Annual General Meeting of the Fellows of the College elects the Court for the forthcoming year.
The Feast is an occasion for great fellowship for the clergy and this year took place at Grocers' Hall. The President's speech this year touched on the focus of the College on priestly formation. Our main speaker was Susannah Simons who spoke of her career with the BBC and encouraged those present to think of the burden of proof which fell on ordinary people, compared with the falsehoods of many in leadership, and urged us to widen the debate and talk to the rest of society. With the Vacancy in See meaning that the College currently has no Visitor. In his place, the Bishop of Stepney challenged and encouraged the College. The evening concludes with the assumption of offices. The new Assistant, Anthony Ball, received his badge, and then the new Junior and Senior Deans received their new badges, concluding with the passing on of the presidential badge from the outgoing President, Kevin Morris, to the incoming president, Laura Jørgensen.
Gathering for the AGM
The Court and Guests
Grocers' Hall
The President's Speech
Susannah Simons speaks of the burden of proof
Bishop of Stepney
The Incoming President, Laura Jørgensen