‘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’.
Tag: bishopsletter
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.
Message from Bishop Rachel
Last weekend I had the joy of being with the curates of this diocese as they gathered for a weekend of teaching, prayer and reflection; and next week I will be on retreat with those among them preparing for ordination as deacons and priests.
Message from Bishop Robert.
For those who are blessed with more, as we are in this country, comes therefore greater responsibility. If we are to keep ‘the law and the prophets’, we have to take to heart the command of Jesus to ‘love our neighbours as ourselves’.
Message from Bishop Rachel: An invitation to share stories of LIFE
As we move into the month of June still learning to live with Covid-19, we do not know what the government guidelines will be for life beyond 21 June, but once again I want to say an enormous Thank You for our life together and for all you have held, led, and navigated over this past year. Thank you too for the way people are creating a wave of thanks, amid both lament and joy, within your local context…
Message from Bishop Robert
Over 8 million people in this country live in overcrowded, unaffordable and sub-standard accommodation, I cannot but recognise that this is both an affront to human dignity and a challenge to act …
Message from Bishop Rachel
As we prayerfully live these days between Ascension and Pentecost, and tentatively move forward from this time of lockdown into whatever the next season holds, this letter comes with continued thanks for …
Message from Bishop Rachel
On Thursday we will celebrate Ascension Day – a day of ending but not quite of clear new beginning.
Ascension Day marks the end of the story of Christ’s life on earth, and then comes a period of waiting, of wondering, of prayer. Once again there is unexpected change and disconcerting uncertainty, but this time it is lived with expectation (Acts 1:1-14).
Message from Bishop Robert
Next week, many of the communities of our Diocese will be taking part in fundraising for Christian Aid. This year’s campaign which runs alongside the vaccine thankfulness appeal and theContinue reading
70th anniversary of the Battle of the Imjin River
A message from Bishop Rachel Last Sunday I had the privilege of leading a short service to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Imjin River in theContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert
Reflecting on the Panorama programme “Is the Church Racist?”
We need to say it clearly. Racism is a sin. It is an affront to the very nature of God who created us, each one of us, every one of us, with no exceptions, children of one blood… called to rejoice in one another.
Prayer and thankfulness
As we journey through this season of Easter towards Ascension Day and Pentecost, I want to encourage us to put prayer is at the heart of all we do as we plan, experiment and explore; and also to be attentive to how we fan thankfulness into flame – Thankfulness to God and thankfulness to neighbour
Bishop Rachel’s Easter Day Sermon
No government roadmap or unexpected change can change the coming of God’s kingdom, even now here among us. And amid the pain and joy of the expected and the unexpected, we are invited to have expectant and hope-filled hearts.
Message from Bishop Rachel: Chrism service sermon
Over the past year there has been so much loss of different sorts, and amid the bereavement and the trauma I have been very struck by how many people have said that one of the things they have missed is being able to share food and drink with friends. It’s certainly one of the things I’m looking forward to.
Message from Bishop Robert: Maundy Thursday Chrism
Our Chrism Service, this coming Maundy Thursday, will again be different. Led from the Cathedral this year most of us will join from homes. Yet as always it will be poignant.
Message from Bishop Rachel
Today I’m putting yellow daffodils in the window, and tonight at 8pm it will be the flame of a candle, bearing witness to lament and hope, and grief and thanksgiving.
Message from Bishop Robert: Telling the story
“Sarah Everard’s murder has rightly brought anger that this should happen on our streets, a wave of sympathy and love for her and her family, and then with it, a cry of pain and anguish. Like Rachel, we are weeping in anguish for our children and cannot be comforted (Jeremiah 31).”
Message from Bishop Rachel
…often it is in an almost aimless prayerful wandering and wondering when things rise to the surface in my heart and mind which then allows me to see things with greater clarity….
Message from Bishop Rachel
Often the noticing of the small things is the most enlightening, and the steps which lead to the greatest discovery are the small ones.
Message from Bishop Robert
Over 8 million people in this country live in overcrowded, unaffordable and sub-standard accommodation, I cannot but recognise that this is both an affront to human dignity and a challenge to act …
