Bristol Cathedral to host national adoption service

A special service of thanksgiving, reconciliation and hope, for everyone involved in adoption will be hosted by Clifton Cathedral on Saturday 20 March. The service beings at 2.30 pm. The sixth National Service of Thanksgiving, Reconciliation and Hope for Everyone Involved in Adoption, of all faiths or none is being organised by CCS Adoption, Catholic Children's Society, Clifton in their centenary year. This is a specialist voluntary adoption agency supporting adoptive and birth families and finding families for children of all faiths or none serving the City of Bristol and the South West. The service was established in 1999 by an adopted adult, Pam Hodgkins, founder member of NORCAP, a national organisation supporting adults affected by adoption. The first service was held in Coventry in 1999 and has travelled round the country so that people in different areas could attend the service more easily. Since 1999 the service has been held in Westminster, Durham, Birmingham and Chester. The aim of the service is "to provide opportunity for thanksgiving for the joys arising from adoption, a quest for reconciliation to the pain inherent in adoption and the expression of hope that distress would be overcome and inequality ended and inner peace achieved." This service was established in response to the poignancy of adoption in relation to Mothering Sunday. The service brings together those connected to adoption for an opportunity to reflect on their experiences and to give thanks for children. There will be personal contributions from birth parents, adoptive parents and adopted people as well as readings, poems and songs. The service will be signed as well as spoken with one of the readings being given by television presenter Sherrie Eugene. The service is multi faith and no faith; all are welcome. Many religious leaders, including Rt Reverend Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton together with other religious and non-religious groups will be participating. Source: Clifton Diocese/CCS