How can the church help care for and support people who are on their own Pilgrimage Through the Pandemic?
Join the Bishop of Edinburgh, the Rt Rev Dr John Armes in conversation with the Rev Karen Georgia Thompson, the United Church of Christ Associate General Minister as she describes her Pilgrimage through the Pandemic following the sudden death of her father due to COVID19, his burial, her own experience of the illness and the aftermath of these experiences.
Her Pilgrimage involved death, grief, considering one’s own mortality, illness, exhaustion and the love and care received from others. She considers the role of faith, hope and community in the midst of the crisis. In particular how do those who have lost loved ones to the illness find ways to mark their death? How can the church help care for and support people who are on their own Pilgrimage Through the Pandemic?
The Rt Rev John Armes was consecrated as 26th Bishop of Edinburgh on 12 May 2012. Prior to this, he was rector of St John the Evangelist Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh and Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh.
Before moving to Edinburgh in 1998, John Armes was Area Dean of Rossendale and Priest in Charge of Goodshaw and Crawshawbooth in the Diocese of Manchester. Educated Cambridge University; University of Manchester; Salisbury-Wells Theological College.
John is married to Clare and they have four children. His interests include theatre, cinema, walking, reading novels, watching sport, travel and humour.
The Reverend Doctor Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister, Wider Church Ministries and Operations Co-Executive for Global Ministries. Rev. Doc Karen Georgia is an inspiring preacher and theologian, who shares her skills and gifts in a variety of settings nationally and internationally, often using her poetry as a part of her ministry.
She is a gifted writer and poet. Her book of poetry Drums in Our Veins, published in 2020 is a compilation of poems that focus on the injustices facing people of African Descent and the fight and desire for racial justice globally. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, her poetry and writings reflect her Jamaican heritage and culture as well as the traditions and lore of her Ancestors.
Karen Georgia earned a BA from Brooklyn College in New York; a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC; and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York. She also studied Public Policy at Duke University and earned her Doctorate in Ministry at Seattle University.
She is the mother of two sons – Everette and Patrick and has three grandchildren – Giovan, Elijah and Sara who are affectionately named by her as Peanut, Pumpkin and Pepper.
The Reverend Doctor Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister, Wider Church Ministries and Operations Co-Executive for Global Ministries. Rev. Doc Karen Georgia is an inspiring preacher and theologian, who shares her skills and gifts in a variety of settings nationally and internationally, often using her poetry as a part of her ministry.
