Following his announcement as the next Bishop of Willesden, the Revd Canon Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy has visited locations across the Willesden area, which covers the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and Hillingdon.
The announcement was made during the termly Communion Service for Year 7s at Twyford School, a leading Church of England School in Acton, students from which played a role in deciding Lusa’s appointment. Canon Lusa participated in a Q&A with students, explaining his journey to the role of Bishop and what inspired him to pursue life in the Church.
While at Twyford School, Canon Lusa was introduced to clergy from the Willesden Area by the Archdeacon of Northolt, the Revd Catherine Pickford, with whom he will work closely as the Area Bishop.
Canon Lusa and Archdeacon Catherine were then welcomed by the Revd Dr Anna Poulson, Vicar of St John’s Southall Green, and her husband the Revd Canon Mark Poulson, who was Vicar of St John’s for 11 years before his wife and is now Assistant Curate of St John Southall and Minister for Mission and Church Planting for the Southall Group and North Hounslow. They were shown the Southall Food Hub, which operates from the church hall next door and provides culturally appropriate fresh food parcels to vulnerable families and individuals in the Southall area. An average of 300 parcels are given out, twice a week at the Food Hub.
Canon Mark then led an interfaith discussion with leaders from the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Methodist communities, introducing Canon Lusa to the deep interfaith and intercultural relationships that thrive in the Willesden Area.
The Revd Dr Anna Poulson, Vicar of St John’s Southall Green, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Revd Canon Lusa, Mirjam and their family to celebrate the announcement of his appointment as the next Bishop of Willesden. Lusa’s commitment to intercultural mission and ministry resonates deeply with God’s calling to the churches in Southall (and more broadly around the Willesden Area). We are excited to learn from him, and to work with him closely, as we seek to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ in the communities we serve.”
Canon Lusa and his family finished the day with prayers with the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Revd Johnathan Baker at St Anselm’s Church Hayes, where they were hosted by Fr Matthew Cashmore.