The Bishop has also written a letter of encouragement to church leaders in our diocese. You can read this below
To all clergy and Churchwardens
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ
As we come ever closer to our Christmas celebrations, I know that you will be busy with your preparations. However, I am keen to write to you with my thanks for what you have done this year and my prayers for you for Christmas.
One of the privileges of starting a new post is that you get to experience a year of firsts and this will be my first Christmas as Bishop of Liverpool. This will bring to the end of a year where, as I said in my Presidential Address, I have seen the variety of work you are carrying out for the mission of God. Great and inspiring work in churches, schools and chaplaincies across all communities in our diocese.
Yet I know these can feel like turbulent times. I have seen the anxiety that exists. Born from the pressures we face as a church. We are beset by doctrinal arguments, challenged by the cost of living crisis and the attendant financial challenges of running the church. I spoke in my address about the angst the fit for mission journey is causing.
As you know Christ was born in a time of turbulence and upheaval. The model for our pattern of life came from heaven to be amongst us in a time and place of danger. For God knows the world we are called into and knows the challenges we face. So, we should take heart from the message of Christmas. Emmanuel, God is with us and we have to trust that.
When the angels gave the tidings of good news they said “peace be with you”. We can take that message and apply it to our lives today. We need to be at peace with ourselves and with each other. As we are surrounded by the pressure of preparing for the Christmas season we need to feel that sense of peace in our hearts for our well-being.
You and your congregations have worked hard this year and I thank you for that. I cannot promise you that next year will be any easier; the challenges remain and the work is constant. However, I do know that we can meet the year with the love and joy and peace of a God who is with us this Christmas and at all times.
Blessings
Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool
December 2023