An intrinsic part of our commitment to sharing the love of God is to ensure the wellbeing of all in our care and to keep the young and the most vulnerable safe.
Tag: bishopsletter
A New Year’s message from Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert
One of the joys for both of us in the days before Christmas was to be able to join in a number of carol services around the Diocese. In theseContinue reading
A New Year Message from Bishop Rachel
Looking at the Christmas crib on this first day of 2022, I am struck by the choices, whether for good or ill, made by different participants in the events of the first Christmas.
Bishop Rachel’s Christmas Message to the Diocese
In recent days the magic of Christmas lights, the beauty of singing and brass bands, and the nostalgic smells and tastes of Christmas, have all been a welcome antidote toContinue reading
Christmas message from Bishop Robert, 14 December 2021
What a mess… Just when we thought we might have seen, if not the end, at least the worst of the pandemic, we have Omicron, and it seems we takeContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 7 December 2021
Whatever our age or circumstances, there is much which occupies our hearts and minds as we live these days of Advent…
Message from Bishop Robert, 30 November 2021
For those of us who seek to follow Jesus Christ, who are inspired to know and share life in all its fullness, the need to act on the climate is not an optional extra but fundamental.
Message from Bishop Rachel, 23 November 2021
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in whichContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert: The God who calls us is faithful
LIFE Together builds on all that has happened over these last five years, as we have sought to shape ourselves as a Church in this diocese to share the abundance of life that is in Jesus Christ.
Message from Bishop Rachel, 2 November 2021
‘… all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of theContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 26 October 2021
The account of creation in Genesis chapter 1 contains the refrain as God makes the land, sea, plants and even us, men and women, that ‘God saw that it was good’. As humankind is created ‘in the image’ and ‘likeness’ of God we are blessed and given responsibility for the stewardship of the earth. In the image of the one who creates out of love, we are to care in the same way…
Message from Bishop Rachel, 19 October 2021
In the aftermath of the shocking murder of Sir David Amess, I was struck by some words I heard on the radio spoken by Bishop James Jones (Bishop of Liverpool prior to his retirement). He spoke about the way we treat one another and speak of those with whom we disagree, not least those who serve and lead publicly. He spoke of a society that so often lacks mercy.
Message from Bishop Robert, 12 October 2021
Being a disciple of Jesus is an adventure – it can unsettle, challenge, disturb us but always leads to life.
You will read elsewhere in today’s Bulletin of the continuing invitation to be engaged with ‘Living in Love and Faith’ the teaching document which as Bishops we have prepared about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
Message from Bishop Rachel, 5 October 2021
I have recently found myself in conversations about people’s concerns and disappointments that so much of the resolve to learn from the experience of pandemic and lockdown and to live differently, seems to be dissipating.
Message from Bishop Robert, 28 September 2021
“If we did not already know that we were living in anxious times, it took only the news last Thursday that some 20 garages across the country had run out of fuel, to there being queues on Friday and by Sunday over half of garages closed. Most of us know, in our heads at least, that provided we all act wisely and don’t panic, there won’t be a problem…
Message from Bishop Rachel, 21 September
In the Church’s calendar, today is the day when we remember Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. I am struck once again not only by Christ’s trust in him but also byContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 14 September 2021
Like many of the lay and ordained leaders in our Diocese, I am currently undertaking my refresher safeguarding training. For me, this is three, three-hour sessions, all on Zoom, withContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 7 September
Such joy and pain are always present at the same time, and the one must never deny the existence of the other. Every day, unspeakable atrocities are taking place across our world affecting individuals and communities, many of whom we will never even hear about. This is true too of events of celebration and delight, and we are to be attentive to both.
A message from Bishop Robert
‘The beauty of the Church is seen in the relationships we share with God, in Jesus Christ, with each other and all among who we live, something made visible each time we celebrate the Eucharist together’.
Message from Bishop Rachel
As we begin to live life following the lifting of government restrictions, I am very clear that yesterday was not ‘release day’ or ‘freedom day’ or ‘going back to normal’. As one person commented on social media, 19 July is ‘responsibility day’.
Message from Bishop Robert
“But I have not done enough.” These words were said to me some years ago by a member of the congregation in the church of which I was the Rector, to explain why they could not go ahead and be confirmed. ‘I have not done enough… I don’t deserve it…’ of course, as I tried gently to explain, if any of us waited until we have done enough to be confirmed no one would ever be!
Message from Bishop Rachel
This summer we want to encourage the entire diocesan flock to live a restorative rhythm which holds play, rest and work in good balance…
Message from Bishop Rachel
Yesterday I arrived in Westminster for my week as duty bishop in the House of Lords. Following recent events there is much chatter of broken trust…
A message from Bishop Robert
An invitation to celebrate #ThankYouDay on Sunday 4 July and free resources to help your worshipping community take part.
