The following is taken from Bishop Robert's blog, which you can subscribe too following the link below.

The last time I visited Corfu was to an archdeaconry synod just after the end of the Covid lockdown. It was wintertime; there were almost no tourists and businesses were desperate for revenue. June 2024 was very different: the weather was sunny and warm; Corfu Town was bustling, and the cafes were in full swing.

We had been invited to celebrate the official opening of Holy Trinity Corfu’s Logos Café. This has been an idea, and then a project, which has been running for many years. The hope has been to transform an area next to the worship space into a social space characterised by ‘care, creativity and community’. Holy Trinity is close to the centre of Corfu Town. And the church council has a vision for their social space as somewhere that can be used for such things as folk music, poetry reading, art classes and mums & toddler groups. The Diocese has supported this project with a grant of £15,000 from the Mission Opportunities Fund. I was delighted to see the new kitchen, toilets, beamed roofing, mosaic flooring and lighting. The Logos Café is a truly beautiful space.  

The opening ceremony began with prayer and poetry in church, along with some stirring singing (in English, Greek and Welsh) from members of the Welsh Mumbles choir who were visiting the island. 

Food and drink were served in the garden outside the Church. 

I was then invited to cut a ribbon and declare the Café formally open. 

This was followed by a dance, accompanied by a really excellent rock and roll band, with chaplain Jules Wilson on keyboard. The band played for nearly two hours, and there was some enthusiastic dancing. I was persuaded to join in the final number – Elton John’s Crocodile Rock. It was a thoroughly joyful evening. 

One of our special guests was the Roman Catholic Archbishop George based in Corfu and responsible for churches across the north of Greece, who is a great friend of the Anglican Community. It was a pleasure for me to meet him again. 

The next day, we gathered for an inspiring service of confirmation – Jules now on lead guitar. We had four adult candidates plus one candidate being received into the Church of England who had already been confirmed in another church. 

After church refreshments included a celebratory logos cake, in the Logos Café, baked by Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer, Jan (pictured next to the cake). 

We don’t have to look far in our Diocese to find things that might make us feel anxious or despondent, so it was a delight to be able to share with the Corfu congregation in a weekend which was pure celebration. Holy Trinity Corfu are rightly proud of what they have achieved. I hope and pray that Café Logos will be a wonderful centre of Christian fellowship, and that the love which members of Holy Trinity experience amongst themselves will overflow in creativity, welcome and care to the wider community.