Michele Guinness visits the Diocese
Michele Guinness with Joan Cameron, Chair of the Ely Diocesan Mothers’ Union © Val Robson
Ely Diocesan Mothers’ Union arranged an evening with Michele Guinness on 4th November 2009 as a contribution to the Ely 900 celebrations.
An audience in a packed hall at Ely City College heard her speak about her own life, her upbringing in the Jewish faith and the way in which she was drawn to a Christian faith.
Her lively, amusing and thought provoking talk challenged us to think about our mission. She encouraged us to be seen to enjoy our faith and worship and to be open and welcoming to newcomers to church. Also to seize the opportunity to celebrate our festivals in the same way that she, as a child, had celebrated Jewish festivals at home, with special meals and food, with songs and drama and all age participation.
She ended by saying that all our celebrations were just a foretaste of the Eternal Party to come.
Michele Guinness
Michele was brought up in a practising Jewish family, became a Christian in her late teens and is now married to Peter, a Church of England minister who happens to be a great, great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the famous brewer.
Having worked in the media for many years, including presenting her own daily lunchtime programme on BBC local radio, she moved into PR, eventually becoming Head of Communications for the NHS in Cumbria and Lancashire. She left at the last reshuffle to concentrate on writing, training and speaking all over the UK. She has written eleven best-selling books, including, Chosen, her autobiography, and The Heavenly Party, a resource book on celebration, full of ideas and recipes for families and communities. She also has a regular column with practical suggestions for feasts and festivals in Families First, the Mothers’ Union magazine.
Much to her surprise, Michele now has two grandchildren. Her latest book, Autumn Leave – A Season in France, (Authentic), which describes the joys and pitfalls of planning a retirement in France, was published in July.