Bishop Bev reflects on Bishop Paul's farewell service

First published on: 18th February 2022

 

The Bishop of Warrington has offered her thoughts on the farewell service to Bishop Paul as he and Kate head off to retirement.

Bishop Bev said:- "The service, with the laying down of the mantle of responsibility was both beautiful and painful as we said ‘thank you’ to a faithful friend and servant of Christ and were left wondering about the what next for Bishop Paul, his family and indeed for us.
 
We are a people of faith, hope, and love and so we can trust that for Paul and Kate, there are new adventures and joys with Christ as their companion. 
 
And for us, as the door slammed on the solitary figure of the big man with a big heart who has led this diocese faithfully for over 7 years we know we are not abandoned!
 
In our diocese, we believe God has given us the vision to ask for a bigger church to make a Bigger Difference, with more people knowing Jesus and more justice in the world. We are aware of the enormous challenges that have and continue to face the church in our nation and from our vision, we believe God is giving us a way forward in Fit for Mission.
 
These are uncertain times, but in truth, every day has its degree of uncertainties.  With God as our companion, our visionary and strategist and with God at the heart of our ministry and mission, we have the courage to step out in faith.  And we shall do this together!
 
Towards the end of the service, Bishop Paul passed on the crozier to me as the Bishop of Warrington.  This was a powerful moment to remind us that the gift of the office is God’s and that a time comes when it is returned to God for God to give to another.  I am holding the crozier and the responsibility that it represents only until such time we are no longer in vacancy when it will be passed back to the next Bishop of Liverpool.   The responsibility that is shouldered is the care, well-being and discipleship of the people of this diocese.
 
Very soon we shall know whether the national church will support our plans for fit for mission - ours is a bold ask but I’m reminded of the words of God to Joshua, ‘be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you’.  Therefore with or without the funding, we shall continue to along this pathway. 

I am so heartened by the clear focus of senior colleagues and by the way our deaneries, parishes, clergy, readers, wardens, and congregations are working together to build for the future.  Please do keep our course and one another in your prayers.   
 
Bishop Paul, in his inspiring final address, has left us with the image of the table and the question, who is not at the table – and he’s challenged us with a further image of a door made of people.  Is the door open to all whom God is calling or is it shut – a barricade that excludes?  I wonder if these are prophetic words for the church today. 

Certainly, I pray that my ministry is grace-filled and that my missional heart is grace-inspired as I now lead us through the vacancy to a new appointment.  Please pray for me as I pray for you, and be assured:  in a little room somewhere in the South West, there’ll be a big guy praying for us every day.



We pray our diocesan prayer.
 


Loving Father,
by your grace, we long to see
more people knowing Jesus,
and more justice in your world.
Help us to live as your disciples in the power of the Spirit
and to work to your praise and glory. Amen.
 
May God bless us all”

 

 

 

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