This morning (17 May) saw not only the re-opening of the diocesan offices in St Martins House, but also the relocation to it of the much-loved "Statue of the Welcoming Christ" from Launde Abbey, the diocesan Retreat House, and the opening of Cafe No 7 (formerly the White Rose café), which is open to the public and located in St Martins House, next to the Cathedral.
Bishop Martyn led a short service of dedication to mark the return to St Martins House of diocesan staff and the re-siting of the statue. Familiar to anyone who has visited Launde Abbey, the statue was created by the sculptor Tita Madden (1917-1982) whose work was frequently inspired by her Christian faith. Originally named "The Statue of the Risen Christ" it was locally referred to as "the Statue of the Welcoming Christ" because of the open, outstretched arms that the Christ figure holds out to the viewer. The service was led by Bishop Martyn and the Dean of Leicester, David Monteith, with a Bible reading given by Lynn Phillips who works in the diocesan office.
Cafe Number 7 will be open from 10:00-5:00 from Monday to Saturday and will sell Fairtrade teas along with hot and cold sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, and prize winning coffee from Change Please, a social enterprise that uses profits to train people experiencing homelessness to become baristas.
Also now re-opened at St Martins House is the Christian Resources shop, which sells books, cards, and church essentials such as candles and communion wafers.